Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Content: Towers, Spires, Obelisks, Pylons and Steles

Penn Society Obelisk
1827
* Monument to William Penn
* obelisk, plants (on plaque), symbolic wampum belt (on plaque)
* inscription:
obelisk itself:
William Penn born 1644 died 1718
Pennsylvania founded 1681
Treaty Ground of William Penn and the Indian Natives 1682
plaque:
While other colonies were in conflict and in great distress with the Indians, William Penn through his philosophy of social justice and peace, engaged their friendship and goodwill. Here is the site of the great treaty of amity between William Penn and the Indians which was held in November, 1682 for the purpose of establishing a permanent friendship. The treaty is thought to have been held under the great elm tree, which was blown down by heavy winds on Saturday night, March 3, 1810. The leaves on the seal represents the great elm, and the Wampum-belt represents the great treaty of amity.
* Penn Treaty Park. Delaware and Marlborough.
* 39.966700,-75.128150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+wikipedia.org's Penn Treaty Park page

Newkirk Viaduct Monument
Thomas Ustick Walter, 1839 (installed 2016)
* obelisk
* The inscriptions are mostly worn away, but are transcribed on Wikipedia
* North end of Bartram's Mile.
* 39.940010,-75.206330 [map] [nearby]
* On the Southwest Philly tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's page for this piece
+wikipedia.org's Thomas Ustick Walter page

Battle of Germantown Memorial
1903 (approved by legislature)
* quote from George Washington
* stele, battlefield map with troop positions, idea
* inscription:
Washington to the President of Congress
On the whole it may be said the day was unfortunate rather than injurious. We sustained no material loss. The enemy are nothing the better by the event and our troops, who are not the least dispirited by it, have gained what all young troops gain by being in actions.
-From camp near Pennypacker's Mills, 5th October, 1777
Erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in commemoration of the Battle of Germantown fought October 4 1777
* East side of Vernon Park. West side of Germantown, South of Price.
* 40.036300,-75.175750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Battle of Germantown page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+ushistory.org's Vernon Park tour page

Civil War Sailors Memorial
Hermon Atkins MacNeil, 1921
* big stele, angel, group of people, standing, lying and kneeling, suggestion of a ship, hats, weapons, anchor, seahorses, eagles
* inscription:
front top: In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free.
front bottom: All who have labored today in behalf of the Union have wrought for the best interests of the country and the world not only for the present but for all future ages.
back: Port Royal, Port Hatteras, Port Henry, Hampton Roads, New Orleans, Memphis, Port Hudson, Charleston, Mobile Bay, Drury's Bluff, Cherbourg, Fort Fisher, 1961-1865.
* South side of the Parkway, West of 20th.
* 39.959420,-75.172960 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+another phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Hermon Atkins MacNeil page

Civil War Soldiers Memorial
Hermon Atkins MacNeil, 1921
* big stele, group of people, standing people, angel, hats, weapons, flag, eagle, horse
* The last picture is of the reference to this piece from the mural at 12th and Walnut
* inscription:
front top: One country, one Constitution, one destiny.
front bottom: Each for himself gathered up the cherished purposes of life, its aims and ambitions, its dearest affections, and flung all with life itself into the scale of battle.
back: Donaldson, The Peninsula, Antietem, Murfreesborg, Chancelorsville, Gettysburg, Chickanagua, Chattanooga, Petersburg, Atlanta, Appomatox, 1861-1865
* North side of the Parkway, West of 20th.
* 39.959650,-75.172650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+another phillyhistory.org 1959 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Hermon Atkins MacNeil page

East Germantown World War Memorial
1923
* stele, words, garland, shield
* inscription:
Erected by the people of East Germantown as an imperishable tribute to the memory of the more than one thousand of its heroes who served in the World War 1917-1918 offering to our country all that mortal man could give: their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
To all who pass this sacred spot, let the head be bowed, a tear be shed - may the heart swell in gratitude and praise in honor of those to whom this memorial stands.
Aisne Marne
St. Mihiel
Meuse Argonne
Chateau Thierry
Somme
Toul
Troyon
Vesel
* Traffic island, Chelten, Wyncote, and Wister.
* 40.052065,-75.157900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: War

Tezzi-Reitz Veterans Memorial
1955
* stele, memorial with VFW emblem
* Picture provided by and Copyright William Mason
* inscription:
Erected through the combined efforts of the commanding officers and members of VFW Post 250 and the public spirited people of the Port Richmond and Kensington areas, in evidence of those who gave so much to protect our God given freedom and liberty.
Memorial Day 1955
Tezzi-Reitz Post
* Southwest side of Somerset between Aramingo and Cedar St..
* 39.983275,-75.115515 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Exhibits: Religious, War

Bell Tower
Nolen and Swinburne (Architects), 1965
* big tower, bells
* Polett Walk between 12th and 13th.
* 39.981300,-75.154350 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Nolen and Swinburne page

Untitled
Jon Bogle, 1974 (installed)
* abstract tower
* Nicetown Park. Northeast corner, Germantown and St. Pauls.
* 40.01930,-75.155560 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* See also:
+myphillypark.org's Nicetown Park page

Mummers Museum Spire
Ueland and Junker (Architects), 1976
* colorful geometric design evoking mummery, spire
* Above the entrance. Mummers Museum. Southwest corner, 2nd and Washington.
* 39.933584,-75.147465 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Philly tour
* See also:
+mummersmuseum.org

Gray Manor Memorial
Joseph C. Bailey, 1982
* Relief busts of Dr. William Herbert Gray, Jr. and Dr. William Herbert Gray, Sr.
* steles, heads, abstract design
* The father and grandfather of William H. Gray III. Pictures provided by and Copyright Karl Henry
* inscription:
Dr. William Herbert Gray, Sr.
Servent of God and the People
Dr. William Herbert Gray, Jr.
God's Ambassador
Helped make the world a better place for all mankind.
* In front of the Gray Manor Apartments. West side of 8th between Oxford and Cecil B. Moore.
* 39.976875,-75.148775 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+askart.com's Joseph C. Bailey page
+kinginstitute.stanford.edu's William H. Gray Jr. page

Columbus Monument
Venturi, Scott Brown (and Rauch), 1992
* Monument to Christopher Columbus
* big abstract obelisk, pennant, biographical text
* At the time this piece was built the firm was named Venturi, Scott Brown
* inscription:
1492-1992
Charismatic Leader, Navigator, Mathematician, Cartographer
Cinquecento Anniversary
Columbus, intrepid navigator, with a sense of the sea unparalleled before or after him. A native son of Genoa, he became through his dedication to a dream, an honored hero of history.
His keen intellect, abiding faith, and undaunted persistence made him a giant among men of this millenium.
* Columbus at Dock Street.
* 39.944650,-75.141500 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Christopher Columbus page

Philadelphia Beacons
Ray King, 1994 - 1999
* big abstract towers, light sources
* Broad and Washington.
* 39.937850,-75.166800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+rayking.nu

Girard Avenue War Memorials
2010 (restored)
* stele
* inscription:
large:
In memory of the men and women of the Pennsylvania Railroad and our community who laid down their lives for our country. Let all who pass here remember those who served in times of peril and whose bravery kept our nation strong and free.
small:
Dedicated to the 29th Ward
War Mothers
Gold Star Mothers
Gold Star Wives
Who offered their all to create peace in the world.
* South side of Girard, East of 31st.
* 39.974820,-75.186525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: War

Re:flection
Jefre, 2010
* abstract steles, actual plants
* Was on the Northwest corner, 38th and Powelton for approximately three years. On September 15, 2013, it was gone and the sidewalk where it had been was freshly replaced.
* 39.959700,-75.196800 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+jefre.org

Land Buoy
Jody Pinto, 2014
* big pole, stairs
* Washington Avenue Pier. East of Columbus and Washington.
* 39.932300,-75.140400 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Philly tour
* See also:
+jodypinto.com
+visitphilly.com's Washington Avenue Pier page

Exploded Paradigm
Conrad Shawcross, 2018
* big abstract tower, idea
* Clearly visible from the sidewalk when the building is closed.
* Interacts with For Philadelphia
* Lobby. Comcast Technology Center. Southwest corner, 18th and Arch.
* 39.954900,-75.169850 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* See also:
+conradshawcross.com
+wikipedia.org's Comcast Technology Center page

Total Environment
Barbara Neijna, 1986
* big abstract arches, spires
* Plaza. East side of 6th, South of Walnut.
* 39.946125,-75.151000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+askart.com's Barbara Neijna page

Freedom Corner
James Dupree, 1995
* abstract standing person, stele
* Plaza. Freedom Square. Northeast corner, Germantown and Wister.
* 40.030150,-75.16495 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's James Dupree page

Balance
Jill Sablosky, 2009
* abstract furniture forms, steles, ideas
* inscription:
E Pluribus Unum
Out of Many One
* Northwest corner, 7th and Appletree.
* 39.953550,-75.151600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+jillsablosky.com

Commerce Square Pylons
Stantec ViBE, 2012
* big abstract light-emitting pylon signs
* Entrance. Commerce Square. South side of Market between 20th and 21st.
* 39.953825,-75.174150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+stantecvibe.com

Benjamin Franklin's Way
2009
* Quotes from Benjamin Franklin
* ideas, abstract steles
* inscription: (partial)
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of cure. - 1735
Diligence is the Mother of Good-Luck. -1736
Well done is better than well said. - 1737
A true Friend is the best Possession - 1744
There are no Gains without Pains. - 1745
He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom - 1745
Doors of wisdom are never shut. - 1755
Half the Truth is often a great Lie. - 1758
* 37th between Walnut and Locust.
* 39.952800,-75.196975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+upenn.edu article about this piece
+The Electric Franklin

June 5th Memorial
Scott Aker, Barb Fox, 2018
* Memorial to the six victims with quote from Dickinson: Anne Bryan, Roseline Conteh, Borbor Davis, Emily Dickinson, Kimberly Finnegan, Juanita Harmon and Mary Simpson
* ideas, architectural elements, steles, benches
* The black stone sculpture by Barb Fox is separately titled "Witness".
* inscription:
For those we remember
Unable are the loved to die
for love is immortality
nay, it is deity -
unable they that love - to die
for love reforms vitality
into divinity
-Emily Dickinson
On a beautiful late Spring morning in 2013 the reckless demolition of a neighborhood building collapsed a wall onto the Salvation Army store that stood on this site.
This memorial park is dedicated to the memory of the six people who died here on June 5, 2013. They were from all walks of life, and each was uniquely precious to their family, friends and community. The memorial park also remembers those who were injured, and honors the rescuers.
The June 5 Memorial Park is made possible by the generosity of private citizens and the City of Philadelphia. It challenges the residents and leaders of Philadelphia to remember what happened here and to always value human life above development.
* Southeast corner, 22nd and Market.
* 39.953675,-75.176600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+june5memorial.org
+architecturalresearch.org
+Anne Bryan article
+Roseline Conteh article
+Borbor Davis article
+wikipedia.org's Emily Dickinson page
+Juniata Harmon article

A Quest for Parity: The Octavius V. Catto Memorial
Branly Cadet, 2017
* Memorial to and statue of Octavius Catto
* big and small standing person, ideas, cube and mirrored orb, steles representing a streetcar and a representational streetcar, buildings, plants, horse, clouds, groups of people, some sitting, hats, guns, baseball equipment
* inscription:
South side of steles, North side of cube:
There must come a change which will force upon this nation that course which providence seems wisely to be directing for the mutual benefit of all peoples.
West side of steles, West side of cube:
Educator Leader Major Athlete Activist
South side of cube: October 10, 1871
East side of cube:
XV
Amendment to the United States Constitution
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
North side of steles:
1839 Born February 22 in Charleston, South Carolina
1854 Becomes a student at the Philadelphia Institute for Colored Youth
1858 Graduates from the Institute for Colored Youth
1859 Chosen as a member and recording secretary of the Banneker Institute, an all black literary society led by Jacob White, Jr. Hired as an English and mathematics teacher at his alma mater. Campaign to desegregate the horse-drawn streetcars in Philadelphia begins.
1863 becomes a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Helps lead a civil war recruitment committee with Frederick Douglas, members of the Union League, and others, which raises eleven regiments of black troops who trained at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham.
1864 Named corresponding secretary of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League, an affiliate of the National Equal Rights League. Appointed Vice President of the State Convention of Colored People held in Harrisburg. Led civil disobedience protests and lobbied white legislators in Harrisburg to desegregate streetcars.
1865 Co-authored the state Equal Rights League call for voting rights, streetcar desegregation, and the hiring of black teachers for black students in public schools.
1867 Governor signs statewide "Bill of Rights" law desegregating streetcars. Led the Pythians Base Ball Club of Philadelphia to an undefeated season.
1869 Named principal of male students at the Institute for Colored Youth Pythians play the Olympic Ball Club in Philadelphia in the first match between black and white teams. A leader of the unsuccessful effort to integrate the private City Wide Congress of Literary Societies. Helps lead successful Pennsylvania campaign to pass the 15th Amendment which led to thousands of black men registering to vote.
1870 The Union League presents Octavius Catto, Frederick Douglas, and Robert Purvis with a banner celebrating Pennsylvania's adoption of the 15th Amendment at a ceremony on Broad Street. Writes curriculum for new schools for freed former slaves in the District of Columbia. Becomes a member of the original Franklin Institute breaking the color line at the prestigious national forum for advancing American science and technology.
1871 Named an Inspector General with the rank of Major in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Shot to death on October 10, on South Street in the midst of election day riots. He was 32, and one of many black men shot or attacked that day by opponents of the 15th Amendment. As one of Philadelphia's most influential leaders, more than 5,000 mourners attended his funeral and procession down Broad Street.
* South side of City Hall. North side of S. Penn Square at Broad.
* 39.951775,-75.164100 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, War, Black Lives, Mass Transit
* See also:
+branlycadet.com
+wikipedia.org's Octavius Catto page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page