Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net
Person: Kate Smith
Kate Smith
Marc Mellon,
1987
* Statue of Kate Smith
* standing person
* Was behind the Spectrum at Broad and Pattison, which was demolished in early 2011. Reinstalled behind Xfinity Live in 2012 with a shorter plaque which omitted the second, third, and fourth paragraphs from the original inscription, which is listed here in full with the removed section in square brackets. The last picture is from the original location. In Aoril 2019 the Flyers shrouded and then removed the statue over Smith's racist recordings.
* inscription:
1907-1986
Blessed with a voice and presence which led her to stardom on
Broadway, radio, and television, Miss Smith came to symbolize joyous,
homespun, American patriotism.
[Her stirring rendition of "God Bless America" introduced on Armistice
Day 1938 lifted the spirits of the nation after the Great Depression and
inspired us to persevere through the agony of World War II.
When president Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced Kate to the King and
Queen of England he said "This is Kate Smith... This is America!"
During World War II, Miss Smith raised more than $600 million in War Bond
sales and in 1982, President Ronald Reagan presented her with the
nation's highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom.]
Kate Smith had a special relationship with the Flyers and the City
of Philadephia. Her live performances of "God Bless America" helped
inspire the Flyers to become Stanley Cup Champions for the first time
in 1974.
This statue, honoring one of America's greatest patriots, is a gift from
the Philadelphia Flyers to the people of our great country.
Dedicated: October 5, 1987
* 39.903600,-75.170000 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing,
Moved
* See also:
+marcmellon.com
