Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Tour: Rittenhouse Square

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Rittenhouse Square is located between 18th and 19th South of Walnut. The tour makes a wide loop West, North, and East of the park before cutting back West through the park. We begin on the Schuylkill Banks South of Chestnut and then travel

September 11, 2001 Memorial
Sikora Wells Appel, 2012
* Memorial to Jasper Baxter, Kevin Leah Bowser and Christopher Robert Clarke
* floor beam from the World Trade Center
* inscription:
This floor beam was taken from one of the World Trade Center towers to preserve the memory of the brave and innocent victims of the attack on September 11, 2001, including the Philadelphia residents whose names are inscribed on this memorial.
Jasper Baxter
Born 1-28-1956
Died 9-11-2001
Kevin Leah Bowser
Born 3-7-1956
Died 9-11-2001
Christopher Robert Clarke
Born 7-14-1967
Died 9-11-2001
 * Next to the Chestnut Street Bridge. Schuylkill Banks, South of Chestnut.
* 39.952750,-75.180350 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: War
* See also:
+sikora-wa.com
+legacy.com's Jasper Baxter memorial page
+legacy.com's Kevin L. Bowser memorial page
+legacy.com's Christopher Robert Clarke memorial page



First Troop Helmet
1900
* helmet
* Over the entrance. First Troop Armory. East side of 23rd, North of Chestnut.
* 39.953190,-75.178130 [map] [nearby]



Untitled Wall Sculpture
George Sugarman, 1972 (approximate)
* abstract relief
* Visible through the window
* Interior. Albert M. Greenfield School. South side of Chestnut, West of 22nd.
* 39.952400,-75.177500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+georgesugarman.com



Bedell Residence Entrance
Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1889 - 1890
* small sitting people, furniture
* Entrance. Southeast Corner, 22nd and Chestnut.
* 39.952310,-75.176975 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page



St. Anthony Club Cherubs
Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1888
* small partial, horizontal cherubs
* Wall. West side of 22nd, North of Chestnut.
* 39.952900,-75.177050 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page



Girl with Basin
Edward Fenno Hoffman III, 1960 (date on base)
* small standing person, basin
* accessible when the gate is open, visible through the fence when it isn't
* Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden, South side of the Mutter Museum. East side of 22nd, North of Chestnut.
* 39.953000,-75.176400 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+picture of this piece from ilovefiguresculpture.com
+Edward Fenno Hoffman III Papers at syracuse.edu
+ilovefiguresculpture.com's Edward Fenno Hoffman III page



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]
* See also:
+june5memorial.org
+architecturalresearch.org
+inquirer.com's Anne Bryan article
+cbsnews.com's Roseline Conteh article
+cbsnews.com's Borbor Davis article
+wikipedia.org's Emily Dickinson page
+inquirer.com's Juniata Harmon article



Horses Drawing Fire Engine
John Godfrey, 1964
* small horses, fire engine
* Entrance. Fire station, South side of Market between 21st and 22nd.
* 39.953700,-75.175525 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters



Koi
Juliet Whelan, 2014
* abstract fish
* Bike rack. In front of Commerce Square. South side of Market between 20th and 21st.
* 39.953815,-75.174220 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+jibedesign.net



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]
* See also:
+stantecvibe.com



Commerce Square Fountain
1992
* fountain
* Plaza. Commerce Square. South side of Market between 20th and 21st.
* 39.954200,-75.174100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified



2000MKT
2021
* sign, building name
* South side of Market, West of 20th.
* 39.953490,-75.173600 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+2000mkt.com



1835 Market Fountain
1986
* abstract fountain
* Wall. North side of Market, East of 19th.
* 39.953600,-75.170825 [map] [nearby]



Compass
2000 (very approximate)
* abstract unlabeled compass
* West side of 17th, South of Market.
* 39.952635,-75.168700 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified



Brushstroke Group
Roy Lichtenstein, 1996
* big abstract forms
* West side of 17th North of Chestnut.
* 39.952050,-75.168900 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+lichtensteinfoundation.org



Estuary Gate
Christopher T. Ray, 1979
* plants, turtle, birds, lizard
* Gate. North end of John F. Collins Park. South side of Ranstead, West of 17th.
* 39.951900,-75.169000 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+chrisray.com



Chestnut Park Fountain
Christopher Collins, John F. Collins, John R. Collins, Ted Knighton, 1979
* fountain, abstract buildings, turtle, wolf head, bird
* Inside John F. Collins Park. Between Chestnut and Ranstead, West of 17th.
* 39.951900,-75.169050 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+picture of the fountain on flickr.com
+collinsstudio.com
+tedknighton.com



Wissahickon Valley Gate
Christopher T. Ray, 1979
* plants, owl, insect
* Gate. South end of John F. Collins Park. North side of Chestnut, West of 17th.
* 39.951600,-75.169100 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+chrisray.com



Chestnut Street Bus Shelters
Pablo Tauler, 1999
* abstract designs, plants
* Some pictures have been edited to make vandalism on the metal illegible.
* Bus shelters. South side of Chestnut, 7th to 17th.
* 39.95035,-75.160290 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+pablotaulerpublicartwork.blogspot.com



Bonwit Teller Building
Bella Abdallah, 1927 (approximate)
* small urns, cats, birds, standing people, seated cherubs, pens and books, mirrors, face, Egyptian headpiece, flame
* Artist attribution is from philadelphiabuildings.org
* Entrance. Southwest corner, 17th and Chestnut.
* 39.951430,-75.169000 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building



Continental Olive
2005
* big olive sign
* Wall. Northwest corner, 18th and Chestnut.
* 39.951750,-75.170450 [map] [nearby]



Belgravia Lion Heads
1902
* small lion heads
* Wall. North side of Chestnut between 18th and 19th.
* 39.951800,-75.170860 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building



Solidarity
* idea flag sign
* inscription: Teachers Local 3 AFT AFL-CIO
 * Front wall. Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. South side of Chestnut between 18th and 19th.
* 39.951660,-75.171100 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Labor



1822 Chestnut
1870 (approximate year of building)
* plants, fruit and nuts, birds, crouching person, artist tools
* Entrance. South side of Chestnut, East of 19th.
* 39.951700,-75.171350 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry



Chimeras
* small chimeras, flame
* Over the entrance. 1921 Chestnut (North side of Chestnut between 19th and 20th).
* 39.951990,-75.172694 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified



Aldine Hotel Entrance
1895
* small standing person, hat, luggage, plants, shield
* Entrance. 1920 Chestnut (South side of Chestnut, East of 20th).
* 39.951890,-75.172820 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+blog post about the Aldine



Mary
* Statue of Mary
* small standing person, head covered, Christian symbols, plants
* visible from the sidewalk
* Kate's Place. North side of Sansom, East of 20th.
* 39.951380,-75.173380 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page



Rittenhouse Coffee Shop Decorations
1855 (possibly 1923, attached to new building c. 2023)
* flowers, abstract flourishes
* Decorations from the facade of the demolished Rittenhouse Coffee Shop were applied to the new building which was completed approximately 2023.
* Wall. South side of Sansom, West of 19th.
* 39.951125,-75.172625 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Moved, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the original building
+whyy.org article about the proposed reconstruction



Warwick Apartments
Price and McLanahan Architects, 1901
* small chained bear, ragged staff (symbols of Warwickshire)
* Over the entrance. South side of Sansom, West of 19th.
* 39.951150,-75.172760 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for the building
+chivalheraldry.co.uk West Midlands page
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for Price and McLanahan Architects



Stotesbury Mansion Entrance
Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1870
* small lions, ram's head, abstract ironwork
* Entrance. Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute. North side of Walnut, East of 20th.
* 39.950580,-75.173500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+thephilo.org's history of their building
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page



Wanamaker House
1900 (approximate date of building)
* small lions, plants, faces, shield
* Entrance. United Lodge of Theosophists. North side of Walnut, East of 20th.
* 39.950550,-75.173225 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building



The Presbyterian Ministers Fund for Life Insurance
1951 (possible date of building extension)
* small standing people, hats, baskets
* inscription: He that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully
 * Above the entrance. North side of Walnut, West of 18th.
* 39.950310,-75.171110 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building



First Baptist
Edgar Viguers Seeler (Architect), 1899
* dove, olive branch, hand
* Over the door. First Baptist. Southeast corner 17th and Sansom.
* 39.950540,-75.168875 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Edgar Viguers Seeler page



Pineapple
Rankin and Kellog (Architects), 1927
* pineapple
* Over the entrance. South side of Chestnut, just East of 17th.
* 39.951370,-75.168595 [map] [nearby]



WCAU Building
Harry Sternfeld (Design Architect), 1932
* radio waves, face, lyre, book, radio microphone?
* Over the entrance. South side of Chestnut between 16th and 17th.
* 39.951310,-75.168190 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuilding.org's Harry Sternfeld page



Silas Weir Mitchell
R. Tait McKenzie, 1928 (also possibly 1915-1917)
* Bas-relief bust of Silas Weir Mitchell
* small head
* I could not find a date on the piece itself. The building is listed as being built in 1928. The McKenzie catalog lists a Silas Weir Mitchell relief bust "1915, 1917" and it's not clear whether that's an indication of a range or two different pieces.
* inscription:
On this spot stood
the house of
S. Weir Mitchell
Physician - Physiologist
Poet - Man of Letters
He taught us the use of rest for the nervous
He created "Hugh Wynne"
He pictured for us "The Red City" in which
he lived and labored from 1829 until 1914
Erected by the Franklin Inn of which he was the first president
 * Wall. 1524 Walnut.
* 39.949650,-75.167150 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's R. Tait McKenzie page
+whonamedit.com's Silas Weir Mitchell page



E.W. Clark Building Medallions
1928
* small winged horse, birds, bull, corn
* Walls. Northeast corner, 16th and Locust.
* 39.948650,-75.167675 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building



Gate and Gargoyles
Samuel Yellin, 1912
* small dragon head, abstract gate
* there are identical gargoyles on either side of the gate
* Gate (and gargoyles). South side of Latimer, West of 16th.
* 39.948150,-75.168350 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com



Mary and Jesus with Angels
1851 (year of building)
* statue of Jesus and Mary
* small people, one standing, one held, two flying angels
* Wall. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948735,-75.168200 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page



Saint Mark's Gargoyles
1851
* small heads with headgear
* Walls. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948825,-75.168350 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles



Saint Mark's Entrance
Samuel Yellin, 1923
* Statue of Jesus
* people standing, halos and cross
* inscription: Come unto me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
 * Entrance. Saint Mark's Church. North side of Locust between 16th and 17th.
* 39.948775,-75.168500 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for this building.
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page



Warwick Hotel
1925
* small crest, helmet, urn with standing people, goat heads, lion heads, human heads, winged people, birds
* Walls. West side of 17th, North of Locust and North side of Locust, West of 17th.
* 39.948940,-75.169800 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building



Curtis Institute Reliefs
1927
* sitting and reclining people, musical instruments, plants
* North wall. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948860,-75.170340 [map] [nearby]



Curtis Institute Gate
Samuel Yellin, 1924
* plants
* Gate. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948880,-75.170500 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+samuelyellin.com



Drexel Mansion Windows
1893 (original date of building)
* small fruit, cornucopias, plants, birds
* Both sides of the entrance. Curtis Institute. South side of Locust, East of 18th.
* 39.948900,-75.170635 [map] [nearby]



Penn Athletic Club
1925
* small lion heads, standing people, athletic equipment
* West Wall. Northeast corner, 18th and Locust.
* 39.949300,-75.170750 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Athletic
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building



Urns
* small urns, people, standing, sitting, swords and spears
* At the entrances of Rittenhouse Square. South and West of the Southwest corner of 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949975,-75.170950 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified



Evelyn Taylor Price Sundial
Beatrice Fenton, 1947
* Tribute to Evelyn Taylor Price
* small children standing, plants, sundial
* inscription: A tribute to Evelyn Taylor Price, President, Rittenhouse Square Flower Market Association, 1916-1939, Rittenhouse Square Improvement Association, 1934-1946. Erected by her friends.
 * Rittenhouse Square. Near the Southwest corner of 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949735,-75.171420 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1949 picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Beatrice Fenton page
+findagrave.com's Evelyn Taylor Price page



Giant Frog
Cornelia Van Auken Chapin, 1941
* big frog on a rock
* Between the Northeast entrance and the center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949600,-75.171675 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Cornelia Van Auken Chapin page



Lion Crushing a Serpent
Antione Louis Barye, 1832
* lion, serpent
* Center of Rittenhouse Square. Southeast of 19th and Walnut.
* 39.949650,-75.172050 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+phillyhistory.org 1913 picture of this piece
+bronze-gallery.com's Antione Louis Barye page



Duck Girl
Paul Manship, 1911
* small standing person, duck, fountain, fish heads
* In the pool at the center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949375,-75.171800 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Paul Manship page



Rittenhouse Square Fountain
Paul Philippe Cret, 1913
* small head, turtles, insects, snail, otter?, fountain
* Center of Rittenhouse Square. Southwest from 18th and Walnut.
* 39.949290,-75.171740 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Favorites, Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Paul Philippe Cret page



J. William White
R. Tait McKenzie, 1922
* Bas-relief bust of J. William White
* small head, hat, eyeglasses
* inscription:
Surgeon Teacher Author Athlete
1850-1916
Leader in beautifying Rittenhouse Square
1913-1915
 * Between the Southeast entrance and the center of Rittenhouse Square. West of 18th, South of Locust.
* 39.949240,-75.171690 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's R. Tait McKenzie page
+wikipedia.org's J. William White page



Billy
Albert Laessle, 1914
* small goat
* Southwest corner of Rittenhouse Square. 19th street side near Locust.
* 39.949200,-75.172400 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Albert Laessle page



Patty Hogan Gates
Eric Berg, 2010
* Memorial to Patty Hogan
* vine, birds, squirrels, nuts, lizard, snail, praying mantis, frog, dog
* Also listed as "Gardener's Cottage Gates"
* inscription: You gave with your heart. We accepted with gratitude.
 * Gardner shed gates. West side of Rittenhouse Square. East of 19th and Locust.
* 39.949250,-75.172725 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+inquirer.com article about this piece
+bergbronze.com



Rittenhouse Square Dogs
1988
* dogs
* Southwest corner Rittenhouse Square. South of 19th and Locust.
* 39.948910,-75.172900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Unidentified



Faces
John Torrey Windrim (Architect), 1893 (approximate year of building)
* small heads, plants
* Both sides of the front door. North side of Spruce, East of 18th.
* 39.947760,-75.170490 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: New, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's John Torrey Windrim page



Rams and Griffins
1924
* small rams, griffins
* Entrance. East side of 19th, South of Spruce.
* 39.947700,-75.172760 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building



Winged Woman
Arlene Love, 1988
* winged head and torso
* West side of 19th Street South of Locust.
* 39.949085,-75.173225 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+Arlene Love interview on vimeo.com



Welcome
EvAngelos W. Frudakis, 1988
* standing person, fountain
* In the driveway of the Rittenhouse Hotel. West side of 19th, South of Walnut.
* 39.949750,-75.173100 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+inquirer.com obituary for EvAngelos Frudakis



Holy Trinity Episcopal Chuch
1859 (original building date)
* dogs
* Side entrance. Holy Trinity Episcopal Chuch. South side of Walnut between 19th and 20th.
* 39.950400,-75.173325 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building



Unidentified Heads
* small heads
* I am unable to find any record of the construction or early occupancy of the house, which might provide a date, architect, artist, or explanation of this work.
* Low on the wall. South side of Locust, West of 20th.
* 39.949400,-75.174625 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Gargoyles, Unidentified



Women Around Window
Wilson Eyre (Architect), 1896 (approximate year of building)
* small standing people
* Wall. South side of Locust between 20th and 21st.
* 39.949410,-75.174800 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page



Crows
1897 (date of building)
* small birds
* Not sure if these are original to the building or not.
* Front of building. South side of Locust, East of 21st.
* 39.949540,-75.175728 [map] [nearby]



Hockley House Entrance
Frank Furness (Architect), 1875 (approximate)
* flower
* Entrance. Northeast corner, 21st and St. James.
* 39.949995,-75.175830 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page



First Presbyterian
Henry Augustus Sims (Architect), 1869 - 1872
* Presbyterian symbols, plants, fruit, bird, lizard, dragons, squirrel
* Whole building. First Presbyterian Church. Southeast corner, 21st and Walnut.
* 39.950650,-75.175550 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+Gargoyle Hunter's page for the building
+wikipedia.org's Henry Augustus Sims page



Green Man
Frank Furness (Architect), 1883 (approximate year of building)
* face, plants
* Turret wall. Southeast corner, 21st and Sansom.
* 39.951500,-75.175505 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Green Man page
+wikipedia.org's Frank Furness page



Roosevelt Apartments Entrance
1913
* birds, plants, abstract design,
* Entrance. Southeast corner, 23rd and Walnut.
* 39.951020,-75.178310 [map] [nearby]


Possible trip extension:Art Museum Grounds (West on Walnut on to the Walnut Street Bridge, down to the Schuylkill Banks, North to the Art Museum, around the front of the Museum to 25th and Kelly Drive)
Possible trip extension:JFK North (West on Walnut on to the Walnut Street Bridge, down to the Schuylkill Banks, North to Cherry)

See Also

+ushistory.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+albertmgreenfieldschool.org
+thephilo.org
+wikipedia.org's Chestnut Street Bridge page
+curtis.edu
+philadelphiabuilding.org's page for the building
+firstbaptistphiladelphia.org
+fpcphila.org
+firsttroop.com
+htrit.org
+centercityphila.org's John F. Collins Park page
+projecthome.org's Kates Place page
+muttermuseum.org
+pft.org
+wikipedia.org's Rittenhouse Square page
+friendsofrittenhouse.org
+saintmarksphiladelphia.org
+ultphiladelphia.org