Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Exhibit: Black Lives

Memorials to and portrayals of Black people and significant events in Black history.

Morgan's Jazz Night Club Sign
* partial people, musical instruments, sign
* Front wall. North side of Price, just East of Germantown.
* 40.037125,-75.175150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* Other exhibits: Unidentified, Mosaic

Old St. Mary's Bench
* small standing people, sitting and kneeling people, sports equipment, tools, water, plants, horse, horn, fish, umbrella, hats
* Medallions are set into the curved brick back of the bench.
* Just South of Old St. Mary's. West side of 4th, South of Locust.
* 39.945375,-75.148475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic, Unidentified
* See also:
+oldstmary.com
+wikipedia.org's St. Mary's page

Taller Puertorriqueno Community Garden
* standing people, food, dragon, guitar, hats
* Inside the fence but clearly visible
* Next to the Administrative Building, Taller Puertorriqueno. East side of 5th, North of Lehigh.
* 39.992660,-75.140000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Other exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+tallerpr.org

United House of Prayer For All People
* two lions, standing angels, three crosses
* Front wall. United House of Prayer For All People. Haverford and Preston.
* 39.962800,-75.204150 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+tuhopfap.org
+wikipedia.org's United House of Prayer for All People page

Mother Bethel Plaque
1901
* Bas-relief bust of Richard Allen
* small head
* inscription:
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Founded on this site 1787 by Richard Allen (a former slave)
This ground purchased by Richard Allen for a church is the oldest parcel of real estate owned continuously by negroes in the United States. This congregation is the world's oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church congreation. The first church (1787) was an abandoned blacksmith shop, hauled to this place by the teams of Richard Allen who was elected a Bishop in 1810.
"We all went out of the church (Old St. George's Methodist Church) in a body" and "they were no more plagued with us in their church."
-Richard Allen
May our God continue to bless Mother Bethel and all her children now scattered throughout the world bringing faith and hope to millions of weary souls.
Ring the bells of freedom throughout the world
"Rise, shine, give God the glory for the year of jubilee."
October 1901 [could be 1961]
* Near the entrance. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. East side of 6th, North of Lombard.
* 39.943375,-75.151935 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Richard Allen page
+wikipedia.org's Mother Bethel AME Church page

Africa, America, Asia, Europe
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1920 (approximate)
* standing people, headgear, weapons, bowl or basket
* Gate posts. Lower (East) courtyard of the Penn Museum. South side of South Street, East of 33rd.
* 39.949450,-75.190800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+penn.museum

Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church Entrance
1923
* Symbol of Jesus
* small kneeling angels, cross, plants
* The building was originally built by the Mt. Olivet congregation, and was sold some time between March 2023 and July 2024. The cross in this piece was painted black when checked in Street View on October 4, 2024.
* inscription: Where Neighborhood Becomes the Brotherhood
* Above the door. West Philadelphia Assembly for Christ. East side of 42nd at Wallace.
* 39.963750,-75.207000 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+hiddencityphila.org article that includes the church building
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+facebook.com/WPACchurch

All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors
J. Otto Schweizer, 1934
* group of people standing, torch, hats and helmets, shield, eagles and large feather, horses, seal of Pennsylvania
* inscription:
front: Erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in honor of her colored soldiers.
back: To commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of all colored soldiers who served in the various wars engaged in by the United States of America that a lasting record shall be made of their unselfish devotion to duty as an inspiration to future generations this monument is dedicated May 30, 1934.
right: American Revolution, Civil War, Indian Wars
left: Spanish American War, Phillipine Insurrection, World War
* West side of Logan Square. Aviator Park. Southeast of 20th and the Parkway.
* 39.958320,-75.171800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Other exhibits: Moved, War
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1935 picture of this piece from a previous location in Fairmount Park
+One of Max Buten's pictures of this piece
+Another of Max Buten's pictures of this piece
+wikipedia.org's J. Otto Schweizer page
+wikipedia.org's Logan Circle page

Mail Delivery
Edmond Amateis, 1934
* standing people, dogs, plants, fruit, mail and mailboxes, sled, truck, hats
* Wall. Nix Federal Building. West side of 9th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.950550,-75.155400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Other exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Edmond Amateis page
+wikipedia.org's Nix Federal Building page

The Slave
Helene Sardeau, 1940
* kneeling person
* inscription: Their bands have broken asunder.
* Central Terrace Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial. Kelly Drive, past Boat House Row.
* 39.973775,-75.191060 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kelly Drive tour
* Other exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+si.edu archives photograph of Helene Sardeau in her studio
+ushistory.org's Samuel Memorial tour page

Antillean Couple
Agustin Cardenas, 1957
* big abstract standing people
* Southwest corner 36th and Sansom.
* 39.953850,-75.194780 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Agustin Cardenas page

Emancipation Proclamation Fountain
Gerd Utescher, 1964
* In honor of an act by Abraham Lincoln
* standing person, birds
* During a 2002 site renovation this piece was moved and turned and the non-functional fountain basin was taken out. By 2010 it was completely surrounded by trees. The first picture is from the old setting. The second is from the new setting. The third is a detail with trees.
* Courtyard. Bottom of the concourse entrance on the Northwest corner of 15th and Market.
* 39.952850,-75.165450 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Other exhibits: Moved, Mass Transit
* See also:
+askart.com's Gerd Utescher page
+wikipedia.org's Abraham Lincoln page

The Family
Charles Parks, 1970
* small people standing, sitting and kneeling
* Marshall Walkway (1 block South of Poplar between 6th and 7th).
* 39.966250,-75.148100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Northern Liberties tour
* See also:
+ wikipedia.org's Charles Parks page

The Funder
Tonnie Jones, 1971
* parts of people, unidentified creature, serpent, ankh
* The funder of this piece was the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
* Christina Place, North of Haverford between 46th and 48th.
* 39.962800,-75.214900 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+a tribute to Tonnie Jones on blogspot.com

Nesaika
John Rhoden, 1976
* abstract standing person
* Outside the African American Museum. Northwest corner, 7th and Arch.
* 39.953250,-75.151600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+nytimes.com John Rhoden obituary
+aampmuseum.org

The Whispering Bells of Freedom
Reginald Beauchamp, 1976
* Memorial to Crispus Attucks
* bells, buildings, people standing, prone, weapons, hats, dog
* inscription:
The whispering bells of freedom in honor of Crispus Attucks
Who on March 5, 1770 was killed by British troops in Boston while protesting conditions under the crown.
These whispers of freedom grew into the crescendo of the Declaration of Independence and the first ringing of the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall.
* Outside the African American Museum. Northwest corner, 7th and Arch.
* 39.953125,-75.151650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Reginald Beauchamp page
+wikipedia.org's Crispus Attucks page
+aampmuseum.org

Three Figures
Joseph C. Bailey, 1984
* small standing people, nurse's hat
* Courtyard. Tucker House. Northwest corner, 10th and Wallace.
* 39.964250,-75.154150 [map] [nearby]
* On the Northern Liberties tour
* See also:
+askart.com's Joseph C. Bailey page
+tuckerhousehealth.com

Dr. J
Barney Bright, 1987
* Statue of Julius Erving
* standing person, basketball
* Was in front of the Spectrum at Broad and Pattison. The Spectrum was demolished early 2011. Reinstalled in the current location. The last picture is from the Spectrum.
* inscription:
Julius Winfield Erving II * Nine years captain of the 76ers * Captain of the 1983 World Champions * NBA Most Valuable Player 1981 * 11 Time NBA All Star * All Star MVP 1977, 1983 * Member of the ABA Champions 1974, 1976 * ABA Most Valuable Player 1974, 1976 * Five time ABA All Star * Athlete, Sportsman, Gentleman
* On the path from the parking lot behind Xfinity Live. Southwest of the Southwest corner of 11th and Pattison.
* 39.903900,-75.169800 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic, Moved
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Barney Bright page
+wikipedia.org's Julius Erving page
+xfinitylive.com

Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Perry M. Morgan, 1987
* ideas, ideals and logos, map, people standing, crouching, helmets, weapons, airplanes and helicopters, plants, buildings
* since 2016 includes Corporal Michael J. Crescenz MOH
* inscription:
The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial is designed to honor those who served in all branches of the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. The memorial pays tribute to the 80,000 Philadelphia Vietnam Era Veterans who served our country in our nation's longest war.
By honoring these veterans the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial separates the warrior from the war, focuses on the valor and sacrifice of those patriots, and gives each of them a place in history.
It is our duty to remember the gallant Americans whose names grace this wall. They sacrificed their lives in the service of our country during the Vietnam War 1964-1975.
For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
* Plaza. Southeast Corner, Front and Spruce.
* 39.943910,-75.142825 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* Other exhibits: War

The Freedom Ring
Houston Conwill, Joseph De Pace, Estella Conwill Majozo, 1994
* map, quotes about freedom
* Features a map which shows some of Philadelphia's historic houses of worship, hospitals, and government sites, plus expressions of freedom in 36 languages, and a spiral of phrases including "We shall overcome", and "Go down Moses"
* Plaza. Community College. Between 17th and 18th, South of Spring Garden. Can be reached from the walkway on the West side of 18th.
* 39.961850,-75.167375 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Houston Conwill page
+ccp.edu

Striving
Charles Searles, 1995
* abstract form
* African Methodist Episcopal Church, First District Plaza. West of the Northwest corner, 38th and Market.
* 39.956890,-75.198600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Charles Searles page

Grow Old Along With Me. The Best is Yet to Be
Charles Parks, 1996 (original installed in Newark)
* group of people standing, fountain
* The much smaller original was commissioned for the Newark Senior Center.
* Plaza. North side of Market, between 39th and 40th.
* 39.957325,-75.200700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* See also:
+bluetoad.com article describing the original
+moroccoworldnews.com picture of the original
+ wikipedia.org's Charles Parks page

Roberto Clemente
Phil Sumpter, 1997
* Statue of Roberto Clemente
* small standing person, helmet, baseball bat, map of Puerto Rico
* inscription:
"Quiero que me recuerden como uno que dio todo lo que tenia para dar."
"I want to be remembered as someone who gave all that he had to give."
Roberto Clemente Walker
1934-1972
* Courtyard. Roberto Clemente Middle School. South side of Erie between Front and 2nd.
* 40.006575,-75.130000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Roberto Clemente page
+clemente.philasd.org

Gatekeepers
Andrea Zemel, 1998
* big hand, book
* A collaborative project with Penn and University City High School students, it was located on the West side of 36th, North of Market, at the Southwest corner of the High School, which was torn down in 2015
* inscription: Knowledge is Power
* 39.957350,-75.194225 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+iliad.nyc's Andrea Zemel page

Black Bottom Memorial Wall
Andrea Zemel, 1999
* map, heart and hands symbol, standing people, sitting person, bulldozer, houses, weapons, flag
* a collaborative project with Penn and University City High School students, it was located on the West side of 36th, North of Filbert, on the Southeast corner of the High School, which was torn down in 2015
* inscription:
The Black Bottom was a predominately African American community that once existed between 32nd Street and 40th Street and between Walnut Street and Lancaster Avenue. Within these boundaries was a community based on loyalty, trust, and respect. It was born of economic adversity but based on love. Their love was for their community and its members and they cared for each other as family. Everyone was helpful to one another. The children were raised together. With pride in their hearts and pride for their community prejudice was a stranger to the people of the Black Bottom. The walls of the community were torn down to make way for "Urban Renewal." However the sense of community was planted in the hearts of the members proving that a community can thrive even in a field of barren ground. Resistance did not prevent their neighborhood from being physically destroyed but resistance preserved it in their memories even today. The community still meets every year on the last Sunday in August for the Black Bottom Reunion at Fairmount Park. It is the largest neighborhood gathering in the history of Philadelphia.
We were like a big family, close together until the bulldozers of urban renewal came around. They tore down our neighborhood - but not our spirits! The Black Bottom still is home in our hearts.
We fought to protect our neighborhood and our country.
* Wall art.
* 39.957425,-75.194200 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Missing, War, Mosaic
* See also:
+iliad.nyc's Andrea Zemel page

Sun Ra
Josey Stamm, 2000
* Mosaic including depiction and symbols of Sun Ra
* big partial people, musical instruments, sun and Saturn
* Retaining wall. North end of Vernon Park. East side of Germantown, North of Chelten.
* 40.036240,-75.177025 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Sun Ra page
+ushistory.org's Vernon Park tour page

Free Rose Dinkins
Mary DeWitt, 2003
* mosaic portrait of Rose Dinkins
* head, words
* The domain lifersontile.info is no longer functional
* inscription: I believe that my life is worth saving because of the person that I am today.
* Wall. East of the Northeast corner, 44th and Locust.
* 39.954050,-75.210050 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+marydewittpainting.com/
+newspapers.com clip about the sentencing of Rose Dinkins
+youtube interview of Rose Dinkins

Wilt Chamberlain
Omri Amrany, 2004
* Statue of Wilt Chamberlain
* person kneeling, person jumping, basketballs and basket
* inscription:
The worth of a man is measured by the size of his heart
Wilton Norman Chamberlain
August 21, 1936 - October 12, 1999
* Plaza. Southeast corner of the Wells Fargo Center. West side of 11th, South of Pattison.
* 39.900425,-75.171200 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+artist's picture of this piece
+rotblattamrany.com
+wikipedia.org's Wilt Chamberlain page
+wikipedia.org's Wells Fargo Center page

Duckrey School Mosaics
Barbara Gesshel, 2005 (restored)
* School named for, and quote from Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey
* partial, standing, sitting people, boats, cow, birds, snakes, lizards, plants, fish, butterfly, sun, building
* inscription:
First: "Once upon a time"
Second: "...love and brotherhood are the strongest forces on Earth" -Dr. Tanner G. Duckrey
* South Entrances. Tanner Duckrey School. North side of Diamond, East of 16th.
* 39.985250,-75.159200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Southwest tour
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tanner Duckrey page
+duckrey.philasd.org

Gloriously Freemasons
Isaiah Zagar, 2005
* big standing people, reclining person, arms and legs, text
* There is a historical marker on the sidewalk near this piece identifying it as the site of the Standard Theatre which says "Owned by Black Entrepeneur John T. Gibson, this theater featured noted Black Amarican entertainers of the 1920s including Duke Ellington and Ethel Waters. The theater attracted multi-racial audiences until it closed in 1931." According to one reference found in Google books, but not his Wikipedia page, Gibson was a Mason.
* East facing wall. South side of South between 11th and 12th.
* 39.942945,-75.161175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Standard Theatre page
+Harlem Renaissance Lives from the African American National Biography
+phillymagicgardens.org

Negro Leagues Memorial
Phil Sumpter, 2005
* Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould and Wilmer Harris
* small standing person, hat, baseball bat
* inscription:
front: Dedicated to Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould, Wilmer Harris, April 15, 2005
back: A special thanks to the Phillies organization for all of their wonderful support for this monument
* Southwest corner Belmont and Parkside.
* 39.977675,-75.213700 [map] [nearby]
* On the West Park tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Bill Cash page
+wikipedia.org's Mahlon Duckett page
+wikipedia.org's Stanley Glenn page
+wikipedia.org's Harold Gould page
+wikipedia.org's Wilmer Harris page

Smashing Barriers
Steve Tobin, 2006 (approximate)
* Unlabeled tribute to Arthur Ashe
* big abstract partial tennis ball and racquet
* This complex was originally named the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center.
* Courtyard. Legacy Youth Tennis. South of Ridge at Schoolhouse.
* 40.012660,-75.202720 [map] [nearby]
* On the Manayunk tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+stevetobin.com
+wikipedia.org's Arthur Ashe page
+legacyyte.org

Robert Porter Memorial Plaque
2007
* In memory of Robert Porter
* police badge with number
* inscription:
In Memory of
Police Officer Robert "Petey" Porter
Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on
January 19, 1996
* Sidewalk. African Methodist Episcopal Church, First District Plaza. North side of Market, West of 38th.
* 39.956877,-75.198700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* Other exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, New
* See also:
+odmp.org's Robert Porter page

One Meridian Plaza Fire Memorial
2009
* Memorial to James A. Chappell, David P. Holcombe and Phyllis McAllister
* small firefighter helmets
* inscription:
To sacrifice one's own safety
in the service of others
requires a courage that is rare.
Those among us who do
are true heroes.
* South side of S. Penn Square, West of Broad.
* 39.951565,-75.164500 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Other exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's One Meridian Plaza page
+findagrave.com's James A. Chappell page
+findagrave.com's David P. Holcombe page
+findagrave.com's Phyllis McAllister page

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
Rebecca Rose, 2009
* Bust of Martin Luther King, Jr.
* small head
* inscription:
base:
January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968
marker:
Freedom Now Rally
On August 3, 1965, Martin Luther King addressed a crowd of 10,000 at this intersection. His "Freedom Now" tour to Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, and Boston was in gratitude for support given to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King brought his message into nothern Black neighborhoods, supporting local civil rights efforts and raising funds. His goal was to empower the formation of a coalition to address their common concerns.
* 40th, Haverford, and Lancaster.
* 39.962975,-75.202260 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Martin Luther King, Jr. page

The Tuskegee Airmen: They Met the Challenge
Marcus Akinlana, 2009
* big goggles, parts of people, hats, tools, 2D (painted) airplanes
* Wall. West side of 39th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955950,-75.200025 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* Other exhibits: War
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+akinlana.com
+Marcus Akinlana's facebook.com page

Memorial to Enslaved People of African Descent in the United States of America
2010
* Quotes from Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Frances Ellen Watkin Harper and Barack Obama
* enclosed space, ideas
* This piece features an extensive amount of text, including African sayings, symbols, and a list of African countries. Reproduced here as inscriptions are the text of the plaque, and the quotes from named individuals. This memorial does not seem to have an official name. The name used is shortened from the text of the plaque. The plaque simply labels it "Memorial." The National Park Service web site calls it "a memorial to enslaved Africans." Avenging the Ancestors calls it the "Slavery Memorial." The last picture, of the wall with the names of the enslaved people who lived in the President's House, is part of the President's House exhibit and not the Memorial.
* inscription:
"Either America will destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States." -W.E.B. Du Bois
"I ask no monument proud and high to arrest the gaze of the passers-by, all that my yearning spirit craves, is bury me not in a land of slaves." -Frances Ellen Watkin Harper
"You the Ashanti, the Yoruba, the Kru, bought, sold, stolen, arriving on a nightmare praying for a dream." -Maya Angelou
"We gave sought to bind the chains of slavery on the limbs of the black man, without thinking that at last we should find the other end of that hateful chain about our own necks." -Frederick Douglass
"It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom... yes we can, yes we can." -Barack Obama
This enclosed space is dedicated to millions of men, women, and children of African descent who lived, worked, and died as enslaved people in the United States of America. They should never again be forgotten. One of two smokehouse rooms in which three enslaved men slept - Giles, Paris, and Austin - once stood in this area. The close proximity to the Liberty Bell Center reminds us that Liberty was not originally intended for all.
It is difficult to understand how men who spoke so passionately of liberty and freedom were unable to see the contradiction, the injustice, and the immorality of their actions. Enslaved Africans and their descendants endured brutality and mistreatment for over 200 years even as their labor build and enriched the nation. The struggle for freedom and political, social, and economic equality continued even after the legal standing of slavery. The devestating effects of slavery continue to affect race relations to this day. Yet, we must continue to strive for the ideals embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America.
The African symbols, words, and quotations on the exterior and interior walls speak to the spirit of hope, the resiliance of the human spirit, and the determination of a people to arise out of bondage to freedom.
City of Philadelphia | National Park Service
* Southeast corner, 6th and Market.
* 39.950300,-75.150050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Other exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Maya Angelou page
+wikipedia.org's Frederick Douglass page
+wikipedia.org's W.E.B. Du Bois page
+wikipedia.org's Frances Ellen Watkin Harper page
+wikipedia.org's Barack Obama page

Sankofa Kore
Christopher Smith, 2011 (installed 2015)
* small standing person
* Grounds of Woodmere Art Museum. Corner of Germantown Avenue and Bells Mill Road.
* 40.082965,-75.219855 [map] [nearby]
* On the Germantown Avenue tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+smithsculptor.com
+woodmereartmuseum.org

Joe Frazier Monument
Stephen Layne, 2015
* Statue of Joe Frazier
* standing person, boxing gloves
* Also listed on the artist's site as the "Smokin' Joe" Frazier Monument and Smoking Joe Frazier's Monument. The Public Art Association simply lists it as Joe Frazier.
* In front of Xfinity Live. Southwest corner, 11th and Pattison.
* 39.904575,-75.168975 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Broad tour
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+stephenlaynestudio.com
+wikipedia.org's Joe Frazier page
+xfinitylive.com

Richard Allen
Fern Cunningham-Terry, 2016
* statue of, with tribute to Richard Allen, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Clementa C. Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Simmons and Myra Thompson
* small standing person, pulpit, Bible
* inscription:
base
Richard Allen
1760-1831
Founder and First Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Apostle of freedom proclaiming a liberating and reconciling Gospel.
tribute plaques
In Tribute to the Emanuel Nine
On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, the pastor and eight faithful members were tragically slain in a mass shooting at
Emanuel African American Methodist Episcopal Church
Charleston, South Carolina
They had come together with great joy for a weekly Bible Study. But a stranger who had been warmly welcomed into the group snuffed out the lives of these beloved fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, colleagues and friends. May the untimely deaths of these three men and six women be an eternal reminder of the power of love and forgiveness, and that God's grace is sufficient, no matter what.
The Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, 41
State Senator and Senior Pastor
The Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45
Mrs. Cynthia Hurd, 54
Ms. Susie Jackson, 87
Ms. Ethel Lance, 70
The Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49
Mr. Tywanza Sanders, 26
The Rev. Daniel Simmons, 74
Mrs. Myra Thompson, 59
For to me, to live in Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21, NIV
* Southwest corner of the parking lot. Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Northeast corner 6th and Lombard.
* 39.943115,-75.151985 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Other exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Fern Cunningham page
+wikipedia.org's Richard Allen page
+emanuelnine.org's Sharonda Coleman-Singleton page
+wikipedia.org's Cynthia Graham Hurd page
+scafricanamerican.com's Susie Jackson page
+scafricanamerican.com's Ethel Lance page
+emanuelnine.org's DePayne Middleton-Doctor page
+wikipedia.org's Clementa C. Pinckney page
+tywanzasanderslegacyfoundation.com
+findagrave.com's Rev. Daniel Lee Simmons Sr. page
+scafricanamerican.com's Myra Thompson page
+wikipedia.org's Mother Bethel AME Church page

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
* Other exhibits: Athletic, War, Mass Transit
* See also:
+branlycadet.com
+wikipedia.org's Octavius Catto page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page

While Everything Is Happening Everywhere Else
Isaiah Zagar, 2017
* abstract heads, hats, dog
* Wall. Lombard and Isemenger (North side of Lombard between 12th and 13th).
* 39.944450,-75.162700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Other exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org

Brick House
Simone Leigh, 2019
* big head
* Replaced Black Forest
* Southwest corner, 34th and Walnut.
* 39.952500,-75.192550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Simone Leigh page

MVP
Brian McCutcheon, 2019
* statue inspired by Ora Washington
* small standing person, basketball
* inscription:
MVP depicts a young, African American female basketball player, She has just taken possession of the ball and is poised in a decisive moment which will dictate what happens next. The statue represents the power and potential of young girls, exemplifying the pursuit of success through dedication and hard work.
The artwork is inspired by Ora Washington (1898-1971). Ms. Washington was a legendary trailblazing Philadelphian who excelled in basketball and tennis. She played for the Philadelphia Tribunes basketball team from 1931 to 1943 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018. A multitalented athlete, she was also the American Tennis Association's National Women's Tennis Champion every year from 1925 to 1937.
Ms. Washington's achievements in the face of racial oppression and its systemic obstacles to equal opportunity embody the narrative of determination triumphing over injustice.
* Smith Playground. Southwest of the Southwest corner, 24th and Snyder.
* 39.925890,-75.187240 [map] [nearby]
* Other exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+brianmccutcheon.com
+wikipedia.org's Ora Washington page