Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Architecture: Entrances

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

Fishtown Hockey Rink Sign
* sign, two people, one standing, one kneeling, hockey equipment
* the facility was renovated in 2023 but the sign predates the renovation
* Above the entrance. Fishtown Recreation Center. West side of E. Montgomery, North of E. Girard.
* 39.971855,-75.127660 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Exhibits: Athletic, New, Unidentified
* See also:
+Fishtown Recreation facebook page

Gargoyles
* small crouching person, bat-like creature
* Entrance. North side of South between Front and 2nd.
* 39.941075,-75.144475 [map] [nearby]
* On the Lombard-South tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles, Unidentified

Golden Fleece Logo
* small sheep, ribbon, Brooks Brothers Logo
* There used to be a Brooks Brothers at this location
* inscription: Established 1818
* East Entrance. West side of 15th between Chestnut and Sansom.
* 39.950775,-75.165700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Order of the Golden Fleece page
+brooksbrothers.com Golden Fleece Logo page

Historical Society of Pennsylvania Entrance
* state seal, horses, bird
* Entrance. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. South side of Locust, West of 13th.
* 39.947910,-75.162700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church Entrance
* Symbol of Jesus
* small kneeling angels, cross, plants
* inscription: Where Neighborhood Becomes the Brotherhood
* Above the door. Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church. East side of 42nd at Wallace.
* 39.963750,-75.207000 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+motbc.org

Our Lady of Grace
George M. Kelly
* Statue of Mary
* standing person, halo, head covering
* Accessible when the school is open. Clearly visible when the gate is closed.
* inscription: by George M. Kelly S.C. / Class of 1970
* South entrance. Roman Catholic High School. North side of Vine, East of Broad.
* 39.958110,-75.161770 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Mary, mother of Jesus page
+romancatholichs.com

Pony Express
* horse, sitting person, hat, plants
* Entrance. Nix Federal Building. West side of 9th, South of Market.
* 39.950950,-75.155300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified, Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Nix Federal Building page

Pony Express Rider
* small seated person, hat, horse, plants, mesas
* Over the door. North side of Chestnut,West of 9th.
* 39.949975,-75.156110 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified, Labor

Rose Gate
* plants
* Entrance. East side of 2nd, just North of Pine.
* 39.943375,-75.145050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified

The Running of the Salmon
Robert Phillips
* fish
* Was on the Southwest corner, 15th and Walnut
* Over the door.
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+artist's picture of this piece
+phillipsmetal.com

University City High School Entrance
Isaiah Zagar
* abstract designs, horse, boat, seated person, dog
* Was on the West side of 36th, North of Filbert. The High School was torn down in 2015
* Entrance art.
* 39.957475,-75.194300 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing, Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
1830
* Statues of Saint John, Saint Luke, Saint Mark and Saint Matthew
* small standing people, books and scrolls
* The four evangelists are displayed here top to bottom (left to right facing the church) in canonical (reverse alphabetical) order.
* Entrance pillars. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market.
* 39.951275,-75.161510 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's John the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Luke the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Mark the Evangelist page
+wikipedia.org's Matthew the Apostle page
+stjohnsphilly.org

Tiffany Atlas Clock
Henry Frederick Metzler, 1853 (date of NYC original)
* statue of Atlas
* standing person, clock (sign)
* Was on the South side of Walnut between Broad and 15th. Tiffany moved three blocks West in late 2021 or early 2022 but does not appear to have reinstalled the Atlas Clock as of 1/18/2022.
* Above the entrance. Tiffany and Co..
* 39.949385,-75.165200 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+tiffany.com history page
+daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com with particulars of the history of this piece
+wikipedia.org's Atlas page

Lion and Sheep Heads
William Struthers, 1855
* lion heads, sheep heads
* Struthers is listed as the mason for the building
* Entrance. 425-429 Chestnut.
* 39.949000,-75.148575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org page for William Struthers

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+htrit.org

Masonic Temple Entrance
James H. Windrim (Architect), 1868 - 1873
* big geometric patterns
* Entrance. Masonic Temple. Northeast corner, Broad and JFK.
* 39.953675,-75.163145 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Masonic Temple page
+philadelphiabuildings.org's James H. Windrim page
+pamasonictemple.org

Saint Vincent de Paul
1868 (approximate year of building)
* statue of Jesus and Saint Vincent de Paul
* vertical people, Christian symbolism
* Saint Vincent is carrying and pointing to a small crucified Christ
* Above the entrance. St. Vincent's Seminary. Southeast side of E. Chelten, Southwest of Musgrave.
* 40.042675,-75.167425 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Saint Vincent de Paul page
+wikipedia.org's St. Vincent's Seminary page

First Presbyterian Entrance
Henry Augustus Sims (Architect), 1869 - 1872
* Presbyterian symbols, plants, fruit, bird, lizard, dragons
* Over the door. First Presbyterian Church. Southeast corner, 21st and Walnut.
* 39.950650,-75.175550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* 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
+First Presbyterian Church

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry

Stotesbury Mansion
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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+thephilo.org's history of their building
+wikipedia.org's Wilson Eyre page
+thephilo.org

Lions
1875
* small lion heads
* Entrance. Metropolitan Baptist Church. Southwest corner, 35th and Baring.
* 39.961075,-75.192945 [map] [nearby]
* On the Powelton tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+mbcphila.org

The Gates of Hell
Auguste Rodin, 1880 - 1917
* groups of people, partial, standing, sitting, kneeling, crouching, and horizontal, furniture, rocks
* Entrance. Rodin Museum. North side of the Parkway between 21st and 22nd.
* 39.961850,-75.174050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+bronze-gallery.com's Auguste Rodin page
+Rodin Museum

Saint James
1887 (year of building)
* Statue of Saint James
* standing person, staff
* Carved for the building in Italy. Behind mesh that isn't visible from the street but partially obscures the picture.
* Niche above the entrance arch. St. Agatha - St. James Church. Southeast corner, 38th and Chestnut.
* 39.955000,-75.198250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Saint James page
+St. Agatha - St. James Church

Quaker City National Bank Entrance
1888 - 1892
* heads, headgear
* This appears to be only 1/3 of the original building.
* Entrance. North side of Chestnut between 7th and 8th.
* 39.949570,-75.153120 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building

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

Episcopal Cathedral Entrance
1889
* Relief featuring Jesus
* small kneeling, sitting, horizontal, standing people, headgear
* Entrance. Episcopal Cathedral. East side of 38th, North of Chestnut.
* 39.955717,-75.198085 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+philadelphiacathedral.org

Old Zion Entrance
1892
* flowers
* North entrance. Old Zion Lutheran Church. North side of Mt. Vernon, West of Broad.
* 39.964590,-75.161410 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphia buildings.org entry for the building
+oldzionlutheran.org

Outstretched Cherub
Frank Miles Day (Architect), 1892
* small standing person, plants
* Above the entrance. North side of Locust, West of 12th.
* 39.947850,-75.161275 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's Frank Miles Day page

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+Curtis Institute
+philadelphiabuilding.org's listing for the building

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: New, Gargoyles
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's John Torrey Windrim page

Wistar Institute Entrance
1894
* reclining people, book and quill, owl, standing person, plants
* Entrance. Wistar Institute. West side of 36th between Spruce and Locust.
* 39.951200,-75.195425 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+Wistar Institute

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+blog post about the Aldine

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for Edgar Viguers Seeler
+firstbaptistphiladelphia.org

University Museum Entrance
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1899 (also listed as c. 1920 and 1931)
* insignia, birds, horizontal and seated people
* Over the door. Through the lower (East) courtyard of the Penn Museum. South side of South Street, East of 33rd.
* 39.949160,-75.191140 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

University Museum Upper Entrance
Alexander Stirling Calder, 1899 (year of building)
* standing people, sign, kneeling people
* inscription: Free Museum of Science and Art
* Upper (West) courtyard entrance. Penn Museum. South side of South Street, East of 33rd.
* 39.949630,-75.191660 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Alexander Stirling Calder page
+Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

First Troop Helmet
1900
* helmet
* Over the entrance. First Troop Armory. East side of 23rd, North of Chestnut.
* 39.953190,-75.178130 [map] [nearby]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+firsttroop.com

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building
+ultphiladelphia.org

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
* Exhibits: Religious, Black Lives
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Richard Allen page
+wikipedia.org's Mother Bethel AME Church page

Towne Building Face
1906 (year of building)
* small face
* Entrance. West side of 33rd between Smith Walk and Walnut.
* 39.951550,-75.190450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles
* See also:
+upenn.edu page for the building

Farm Journal Building
1912
* cornucopia, food
* Entrance. West side of 7th, South of Locust.
* 39.946375,-75.153550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building

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

Horned Face
1914
* small head
* Entrance. North side of Locust Walk just East of 36th.
* 39.952025,-75.194660 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour

Moose Head
1914 (building converted to Moose lodge)
* moose head
* Above the entrance. Blue Horizon. West side of Broad, South of Master.
* 39.973800,-75.159175 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Southwest tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Blue Horizon page

The Rob Morris Entrance
1914
* small heads, plants
* Entrance. North side of Arch Street, just West of 17th.
* 39.955125,-75.168200 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building

Widener Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1914
* horizontal angels, globes, Philadelphia seal, ship, plow, bundles of grain
* also on the North end of the building
* Entrance. North side of Chestnut, West of Juniper.
* 39.950800,-75.162950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+Horace Trumbauer page from philadelphiabuildings.org

William Penn
Edgar Viguers Seeler (Architect), 1914
* Relief portrait of William Penn
* head, hat
* Above the entrance. Penn Mutual Building. South side of Walnut, East of 6th.
* 39.947595,-75.150870 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for Edgar Viguers Seeler
+wikipedia.org's William Penn page
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Eagle
1922
* eagle
* Tioga Station entrance. Northeast corner Harrowgate Park. Kensington and Tioga.
* 40.000140,-75.106450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Kensington tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tioga Station page

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for this building.
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+Samuel Yellin Metal Workers
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+Saint Mark's Church

Conwell Hall Gargoyles
1924 (building date)
* small seated people wearing hats
* Both sides of the door. East side of Broad, North of Montgomery.
* 39.980350,-75.157285 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+Gerry Wilkinson's history page with Conwell Hall information

Packard Building Sign
Samuel Yellin, 1924 (year on sign)
* small standing, kneeling people, tools, scroll, staff, oar, plants, lamps, eagle, lion's head, seashell, urns, griffins, sign
* Yellin is not listed anywhere as the artist for the sign, but he is listed as the metal worker for the building
* West Entrance. Packard Building. East side of 15th, South of Chestnut.
* 39.950650,-75.165650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.orgs's Samuel Yellin page
+Samuel Yellin Metal Workers
+philadelphiabuildings.org's Packard Building entry

Public Ledger Building
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1924
* reclining people, head scarf, scepter, burning oil lamp, quills, scrolls, books and tablets
* Entrances. Southwest corner, 6th and Chestnut.
* 39.949200,-75.150850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuilding.org's page for the building
+Horace Trumbauer page from philadelphiabuildings.org

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

Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom
1924 (approximate)
* Includes a representation of Saint George
* coat of arms, lions, unicorn, helmet and crown, harp, seated person, lance, horse, dragon
* Best viewed from the North side of Walnut. The other emblems probably represent places where General Accident operated.
* inscription:
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Dieu et mon droit
* Entrance. South side of Walnut, West of 4th.
* 39.947320,-75.148480 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building
+wikipedia.org's entry for the coat of arms
+newadvent.org's St. George page

Firefighter Gargoyles
1925 (from cornerstone)
* small crouching people wearing hats and helmets, firefighting equipment
* Was on the Southwest corner, Juniper and Race. Removed from the building 2008 prior to demolition for Convention Center expansion.
* Entrance.
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Missing, Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+Max Buten's page for this piece
+Gargoyle Hunter page for this piece

Fisher-Bennett Gargoyles
1925 (year of building)
* small sitting people, books, eyeglasses
* Entrance. South side of Walnut between 33rd and 34th.
* 39.952585,-75.191295 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles
* See also:
+upenn.edu page for the building

Athena and Cherubs
1927
* relief bust of Athena
* small cherubs, head, helmet
* Way over the entrance. East side of 15th, South of Locust.
* 39.948200,-75.166160 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Athena page

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Congregation Rodeph Shalom Entrance
Nicola D'Ascenzo Studios, 1927
* scroll and tablet, large cats, angel wings, tree, sun, other symbols
* inscription: My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples
* Entrance. Congregation Rodeph Shalom. East side of Broad Street at Green.
* 39.963825,-75.160900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Mosaic
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org Nicola D'Ascenzo page
+rodephshalom.org

Art Museum Cherub
1928
* small upright winged person
* Over the back door. Art Museum. Anne d'Harnocourt Drive (25th and Kelly Drive to the Spring Garden Bridge).
* 39.966075,-75.181700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Unidentified
* See also:
+Philadelphia Museum of Art

Art Museum Student Entrance Face
1928
* face, crown
* Above the student entrance. Art Museum. Anne d'Harnocourt Drive at the Spring Garden Bridge.
* 39.965150,-75.182050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Art Museum Grounds tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified
* See also:
+Philadelphia Museum of Art

Carnell Hall
1928
* small heads
* Both sides of the door. East side of Broad, North of Montgomery.
* 39.980425,-75.157075 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Campus tour
* Exhibits: Gargoyles, Unidentified
* See also:
+Gerry Wilkinson's Carnell Hall page

Navy Ships
1928 (completion of building)
* small ships, anchor, eagle
* The building was originally the Navy Central YMCA Annex. Around the entrance are subtle relief carvings of Navy ships including the Hornet, the Constitution, the Enterprise, the Bon Homme Richard, the Kearsarge, and the Olympia.
* Entrance. East side of 15th, North of Arch.
* 39.955150,-75.164675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building

Liberty Title Building Dragons
1929
* small dragons
* Entrance. South side of the Aloft Hotel. North side of Arch, East of Broad.
* 39.954465,-75.162790 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's entry for the building

Rodin Museum Gateway
1929 (year of building)
* seated and reclining people (cherubs, unfinished headless person), head scarf, scales and other tools, plants, musical instrument
* inscription: This architectural fragment is a reproduction of parts of the old Chateau Dissy re-erected by Auguste Rodin at Meudon, France near the studio where most of his work was done.
This replica of the Rodin Memorial at Meudon was chosen by Jules E. Mastbaum for the gateway to the Museum.
* Entrance. Rodin Museum. North side of the Parkway between 21st and 22nd.
* 39.961600,-75.174400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Parkway and Pennsylvania tour
* See also:
+Rodin Museum

Suburban Station Clock
1930
* clock, sign
* Best observed from the East side of 16th
* 16th Street entrance. Suburban Station. West side of 16th, North of JFK.
* 39.954150,-75.166750 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Suburban Station page

Curtis Hall, Thomas Jefferson University
Horace Trumbauer (Architect), 1931
* standing people, reclining people, medical instruments, headgear, plants, lions, birds, griffins, various medical symbols
* Curtis Hall Entrance. North side of Walnut between 10th and 11th.
* 39.948625,-75.157800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Jefferson Center City Campus tour
* Exhibits: Medical
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's page for the building
+Horace Trumbauer page from philadelphiabuildings.org

Spring Garden School Art Deco
Irwin T. Catharine (Architect), 1931
* abstract art deco
* Entrance. Spring Garden School. South side of Melon between 11th and 12th.
* 39.965100,-75.155850 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+wikipedia.org Irwin T. Catharine page
+springgarden.philasd.org

Eagle
1933
* abstract eagle
* Over the entrance. Post Office Main Branch Building. Southwest corner, 29th and Market.
* 39.954390,-75.181950 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's U.S. Post Office Main Branch Building page

Handshake
1934
* big hands
* Former headquarters of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
* Over the entrance. North side of South, East of 22nd.
* 39.945250,-75.177775 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fitler Square tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+ Reference to the building from library.temple.edu

Penn Mutual Building Doors
1934
* small groups of people standing, sitting, machines and tools, furniture, baskets and jugs, books and scrolls, dogs, flowers, weapons, helmet, head in profile
* Entrance. Penn Mutual Building. South side of Walnut between 5th and 6th.
* 39.947525,-75.150250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* Exhibits: Labor
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

General George G. Meade Public School
Irwin T. Catharine (Architect), 1936
* School named for George Gordon Meade
* partial standing people, lamps
* East entrance. Gen. George G. Meade School. West side of 18th, North of Oxford.
* 39.978350,-75.164650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Temple Southwest tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org Irwin T. Catharine page
+wikipedia.org's George Meade page
+wikipedia.org George Meade School page

The Alchemist
Donald De Lue, 1940
* seated person, furniture, headgear, alchemy equipment
* Above the entrance. Chemistry Laboratories Cret Wing. North side of Spruce, West of 33rd.
* 39.950510,-75.192050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* See also:
+sculptor.org's Donald De Lue page
+wikipedia.org's Donald De Lue page

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org entry for the building

Three Bar Russian Cross
1957
* Symbol of Jesus
* 3 bar cross, moon and stars
* Over the entrance. Russian Orthodox Church of Our Lady. South side of Brandywine, West of 20th.
* 39.964300,-75.170975 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: Religious
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+Russian Orthodox Church of Our Lady

Powel Elementary School Mosaics
1961 (year of building)
* abstract mosaics
* Entrance. Samuel Powel Elementary School (old building). Northeast Corner, 36th and Powelton.
* 39.960075,-75.193650 [map] [nearby]
* On the Powelton tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+Samuel Powel Elementary School

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]
* On the Rittenhouse Square tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters

City Seal
Dexter Jones, 1966
* big seal of the city, standing people, ship, plow, scroll, food
* Entrance. Municipal Services Building. North side of JFK between Broad and 15th.
* 39.953900,-75.164420 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+emporis.com's Municipal Services Building page

Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
1966 (date of building, mosaics are later)
* Mosaics of Jesus and Pope John Paul II
* partial people, keys and other symbols
* inscription:
His Holiness
Pope John Paul II
Visited this Cathedral
4 October 1979
* Entrance. Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. West side of Franklin between Brown and Poplar (Franklin is one block East of 8th).
* 39.966325,-75.150050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Northern Liberties tour
* Exhibits: Religious, Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Jesus page
+wikipedia.org's Pope John Paul II page
+Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral

Dancing Children
Henry Mitchell, 1968
* small people dancing, sitting, hats, bench, baby carriage, knitting needles, dog
* Above the entrance. Cobbs Creek Recreation Center. West side of 63rd at Locust.
* 39.957965,-75.248125 [map] [nearby]
* See also:
+cantonartcollection.com's Henry Mitchell bio

St. Mary's School Doors
1970
* Partial representations of John Adams, John Carroll, Katherine Drexel, Michael Francis Egan, Robert Harding and George Washington
* small partial people, hats, staff, ship, weapons, crosses
* Visible through the gate. Designed to echo the stained glass doors. The reference to Katherine Drexel is from the school's website.
* North entrance. Saint Mary Interparochial School. South side of Locust, East of 5th.
* 39.946080,-75.149510 [map] [nearby]
* On the Society Hill tour
* Exhibits: Religious, War
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's John Adams page
+wikipedia.org's John Carroll page
+wikipedia.org's Katherine Drexel page
+wikipedia.org's Michael Francis Egan page
+jstor.org article about Robert Harding
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page
+saintmarys.us

Philadelphia Municipal Water System Plaque
1975
* small building and fence, depiction of a fountain, trees, person standing, people sitting, hats, horse, cart
* inscription:
National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark
1801-1815
Philadelphia Municipal Water System
Here at Centre Square stood
Philadelphia's First Water Works
The first public water system in America
to use steam for large scale pumping
American Society of Civil Engineers, 1975
* West side, tower South entrance. City Hall. South side of JFK at Broad.
* 39.952550,-75.163600 [map] [nearby]
* On the City Hall tour
* See also:
+philadelphiabuildings.org's City Hall page
+wikipedia.org's City Hall page

The Seed
Christopher T. Ray, 1976
* big seed
* inscription:
Source: Deuteronomy 8:7-8:11
"...for the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land..."
The Seed symbolizes the generation of creative life in America, the Good Land which has made us welcome. In its roots exist the reminder of our origins and traditions. In the leaves are the elements of continuing growth. From the pod and its emerging flowr comes the promise of the future.
* Entrance. Mikveh Israel. East Side of 5th Street, North of Market, along the walkway between 4th and 5th..
* 39.951175,-75.147550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+chrisray.com
+Mikveh Israel

Amity
David Lee Brown, 1977
* abstract form
* Was at the Northeast corner of 10th and Market. Removed around 2015 with the conversion of the Gallery to Fashion District Philadelphia.
* Former entrance to the Gallery.
* 39.951650,-75.156650 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+easthamptonstar.com's David Lee Brown obituary

Tree of Life
Gerd Utescher, 1977
* abstract tree
* Entrance. West side of 8th Street, South of Race.
* 39.954700,-75.153040 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+askart.com's Gerd Utescher page

National Shrine of Saint John Neumann Entrance Plaques
1979 (best guess based on 1979 commemoration)
* bas-relief busts of Pope John Paul II and John Nepomucene Neumann
* small heads
* inscription:
left:
St. John N. Neumann
C. SS. R.
Fourth Bisop of Philadelphia
1852-1860
right:
Remberance of
the visit of
Pope John Paul II
to the National Shrine
of St. John Neumann
October 4, 1979
* Either side of the entrance. National Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Southest corner 5th and Girard.
* 39.97000,-75.144850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Northern Liberties tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Pope John Paul II page
+wikipedia.org's John Nepomucene Neumann page
+The National Shrine of Saint John Neumann

Bird
Joseph J. Greenberg, Jr., 1980 (date of building)
* big bird
* Was between 16th and 17th, Race and Vine on the North side of the hotel which was the Wyndham Franklin Plaza and then the Sheraton Center City. Disappeared some time around 2017 when the Franklin Plaza complex was reconfigured.
* Was in the driveway entrance.
* 39.957700,-75.166900 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing
* See also:
+nytimes.com Joseph J. Greenberg obituary

Woman Looking Through a Window
George Segal, 1980
* small standing person, window
* Building entrance overhang. North side of Chestnut between 6th and 7th.
* 39.949400,-75.151575 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+segalfoundation.org
+wikipedia.org's George Segal page

Gate
Greg Leavitt, Lydia Leavitt, 1982
* plant forms
* This is listed elsewhere simply as "Gate," though it doesn't appear to currently function as one.
* Either side of the entrance. Marian Anderson Recreation Center. West side of 17th, South of Fitzwater.
* 39.941825,-75.171050 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fitler Square tour
* See also:
+gregleavitt.com

Stack of Checkers
Charles Fahlen, 1983
* big checkers
* Building entrance overhang. Senior citizen center, West side of Passyunk North of Dickinson.
* 39.931300,-75.162250 [map] [nearby]
* On the South Philly tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Charles Fahlen page

Light Fixtures
Gerald Allen, Kent Bloomer, 1984
* abstract flower-like light fixtures
* Entrance. South side of Locust, West of 7th.
* 39.946785,-75.153700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Washington Square tour
* See also:
+bloomerstudio.com

Lamps
Joel Schwartz, 1986
* abstract light fixtures
* Entrance. Southwest corner 11th and Spruce.
* 39.946250,-75.159600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour

Synergy
Albert Paley, 1987
* big abstract implied arch
* Was an arch across the entrance to a parking lot, which was replaced with a new building in 2016. The piece was temporarily removed and then put back in its original location but a completely different context. The last two pictures are from 2017.
* Entrance (after the fact). West side of 18th, South of Spring Garden.
* 39.962500,-75.168100 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+albertpaley.com

Refractive Light Spine
James Carpenter, 1988 - 1989
* big collection of triangles
* Over the entrance. Southwest corner, 36th and Market.
* 39.956050,-75.194800 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* See also:
+James Carpenter Design Associates, Inc.

Aurora Window, Canopy, and Sconces
Ray King, 1989
* sconces, other functional building parts
* Entrance. East side of 12th, North of Locust.
* 39.947850,-75.160700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Gayborhood tour
* See also:
+rayking.nu

Video Arbor
Nam June Paik, 1990
* real plants, abstract video and images
* Entrance. East side of Franklin Town Blvd. between Wood and Callowhill (one block North of 17th and Vine).
* 39.959925,-75.167640 [map] [nearby]
* On the Franklin Town tour
* See also:
+paikstudios.com
+wikipedia.org's Nam June Paik page

Hard Rock Cafe Guitar
1998
* big guitar sign
* Above the entrance. Hard Rock Cafe. Northeast corner, 12th and Market.
* 39.952075,-75.159750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+hardrock.com/cafes/philadelphia

Powelton Village Playground Entrance
2000
* abstract arch, live plants
* Entrance. Powelton Village Playground. Northeast corner, 35th and Powelton.
* 39.960150,-75.192325 [map] [nearby]
* On the Powelton tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified

Eight Figures
Arlene Love, 2001 (approximate installation; 1980, approximate completion)
* standing people
* Visible from the North side of Spruce. If the building is open you may be able to see them up close.
* Over the Spruce Street entrance. Kimmel Center. South side of Spruce, West of Broad.
* 39.947000,-75.165525 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+Arlene Love interview on Vimeo
+Kimmel Center

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
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Tanner Duckrey page
+duckrey.philasd.org

The Class of 1956 Trolley
Gomaco Trolley Company, 2006
* big trolley
* inscription:
The Class of 1956 Trolley is a replica of Peter Witt trolleys that carried generations of commuting students to Penn from all parts of the region and also provided convenient access from campus to cultural and other attractions in Center City, Philadelphia.
With noisy steel wheels and clanging bells, these trolleys created a constant interruption to campus life and were an unforgettable part of the Penn experience. Operated by The Philadelphia Transportation Company (a precursor to SEPTA), Routes 11, 34, and 37 ran through the Penn campus on Woodland Avenue and Locust Street for nearly 65 years. In 1956 they were relocated underground, enabling the University to begin conversion of the campus to a unified and attractive landscape environment. Woodland Avenue and Locust Street became the first pedestrian walkways through the campus.
The Class of 1956 Trolley was fabricated by the Gomaco Trolley Company in October, 2006. The original Peter Witt Trolleys were manufactured by J.G. Brill from 1923-26.
* Entrance. 37th Street Green Line Station. North side of Spruce, East of 37th. .
* 39.951125,-75.196900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn Campus tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+gomacotrolley.com
+wikipedia.org's 37th Street Station page

Suzanne Roberts Theatre Sign
Zahner, 2007
* Named for Suzanne Roberts
* big logo sign
* Entrance. Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Northwest Corner, Broad and Lombard.
* 39.944850,-75.165450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of the Arts tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Zahner page
+whyy.org Suzanne Roberts obituary
+wikipedia.org's Suzanne Roberts Theatre page

Wave Forms
Dennis Oppenheim, 2007
* big bells, arch
* Housing complex entrance. Northwest corner, 34th and Chestnut.
* 39.954600,-75.192200 [map] [nearby]
* On the Chestnut 29th to 40th tour
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Dennis Oppenheim page

Doorway to Imagination
Emilie Ledieu, 2010
* plants, abstract face
* East Entrance. Laura W. Waring School. West side of 18th, North of Green.
* 39.964775,-75.167550 [map] [nearby]
* On the Fairmount tour
* Exhibits: Mosaic
* See also:
+Laura W. Waring School

Shells
2010 (installed)
* small shells
* Either side of the East entrance. Academy of Natural Sciences. West side of 19th between Cherry and the Parkway.
* 39.956600,-75.170950 [map] [nearby]
* On the JFK North tour
* See also:
+Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

At the Center
Gord Peteran, 2011 (year the Museum (formerly the Center) moved into the building)
* carved concentric circles
* The door handles are credited to Louis Bower of the John Grass Wood Turning Company
* Delivery doors. Museum for Art in Wood. East side of 3rd, South of Quarry.
* 39.953380,-75.144890 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+pdf about the John Grass Wood Turning Company
+gordpeteran.com
+centerforartinwood.org

Pennsylvania Convention Center Lights
The Lighting Practice, 2011
* big abstract lights
* Only visible after dark. The color and pattern are programmable
* Main entrance. Convention Center. East side of Broad between Arch and Race.
* 39.955325,-75.162740 [map] [nearby]
* On the Convention District tour
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+thelightingpractice.com
+paconvention.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:
+stantec.com visioning-brands-experience page
+emporis.com's Commerce Square page

Light Matrix
Leo Villareal, 2015
* abstract light display
* Awning. North side of Market, West of 36th.
* 39.956350,-75.194700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* See also:
+villareal.net

Nexus
Scott Eunson, Marianne Lovink, 2016
* abstract maps
* The wide shot is of the South side, the close shot is of the North.
* Entrances. 40th Street MFL Station. Southeast and Northeast corners, 40th and Market.
* 39.957060,-75.201725 [map] [nearby]
* On the Avenue of Technology tour
* Exhibits: Mass Transit
* See also:
+whyy.org article about this piece
+mariannelovink.com
+wikipedia.org's 40th Street station (Market–Frankford Line) page