Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net
Police and Fire Fighters Exhibit
There are three kinds of public artwork in Philadelphia associated with police and fire fighters - memorials, station art, and historical references to Philadelphia as the home of the country's first volunteer fire brigade. Despite some overlap, the artwork is divided here into those three categories.
Memorials | |
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Living Flame Memorial Reginald Beauchamp, 1976 * abstract * Police and Fire Memorial. Painted during the 2006 Franklin Square renovation. The first picture is without the paint. * Franklin Square. Northwest corner, 6th and Race. * 39.955400,-75.149825 [map] * On the Independence Mall tour. * See also: +historicphiladelphia.org's Franklin Square page +wikipedia.org's Franklin Square page |
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Port Richmond Firefighters Memorial 2005 * Memorial to Richard F. Devine, William J. Robinson, Rey Rubio, John Taylor and Thomas Vaughan * black polished etched stone in the shape of the Fire Department emblem, two people kneeling, one winged, one wearing a helmet * inscription: Philadelphia Fire Department Engine Company #28 To honor our firefighters who have lost their lives while protecting and serving the great community of Port Richmond When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little child before it is too late or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout and quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me, to guard my every neighbor and protect his property. And if ascending to my fate I am to lose my life please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife. FF Thomas Vaughan March 13, 1904 FF William J. Robinson January 15, 1905 FF Richard F. Devine July 29, 1999 Capt. John Taylor August 20, 2004 FF Rey Rubio August 20, 2004 Dedicated August 20, 2005 * In front of Engine Company 28. Southwest side of Ontario between Belgrade and Miller. * 39.988925,-75.099950 [map] * On the Port Richmond tour. * Other exhibits: Religious * See also: +article about the memorial +article about John Taylor and Rey Rubio +archive of articles about John Taylor and Rey Rubio +brief bio of Richard Devine +unofficial history of Engine Company 28 |
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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] * On the City Hall tour. * See also: +wikipedia.org's One Meridian Plaza page |
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St. John's Fire Memorial 2011 * In memory of William Chance, Hugh Duffy, James Shea and George Steinle * Philadelphia Fire Department insignia * inscription: Hoseman George Steinle Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899 Hoseman William Chance Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899 Hoseman Hugh Duffy Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on February 17, 1899 Hoseman James Shea Died in the line of duty protecting the citizens of Philadelphia on March 2, 1899 * On the sidewalk in front of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. East side of 13th between Chestnut and Market. * 39.951375,-75.161500 [map] * On the Convention District tour. * Other exhibits: New * See also: +St. John's |
Police and Fire Station Art | |
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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. * Other exhibits: Missing, Gargoyles, Unidentified * See also: +Max Buten's page for this piece +Gargoyle Hunter page for this piece |
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Gargoyles 1927 * small heads * Fire station wall. South corner, Foulkrod and Darrah. * 40.017000,-75.081340 [map] * Other exhibits: Gargoyles |
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Phoenix Above Maltese Cross Sarala Ruth Pinto, 1962 * phoenix, maltese cross * Wall. East side of 12th North of Reed. * 39.932600,-75.163885 [map] * On the South Philly tour. |
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Firemen Gerd Utescher, 1964 * small group of people standing, some partial, hatchet, hats * Wall. West side of Richmond, North of Kirkbride. * 40.001275,-75.065950 [map] |
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Guardians of Fire Gerd Utescher, 1964 * small group of people standing, fire * In front of the fire station on the East side of Broad, South of Bainbridge. * 39.942290,-75.165525 [map] * On the Avenue of the Arts tour. |
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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] * On the Rittenhouse Square tour. |
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Fireman Carrying A Hatchet Dexter Jones, 1967 * small standing person, helmet, hatchet, stairs * Wall. Boudinot Street and Hart Lane. * 39.993635,-75.122870 [map] * On the Port Richmond tour. |
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Benjamin Franklin in Fireman's Hat Dexter Jones, 1968 * Head of Benjamin Franklin * big head, hat * Wall. North side of Arch, East of 4th. * 39.952425,-75.146450 [map] * On the Old City tour. * See also: +The Electric Franklin |
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Hose Team In Action Harold Kimmelman, 1971 * two people, one standing, one kneeling, helmets, firehose * On the wall. Engine Company 28. Southwest side of Ontario between Belgrade and Miller. * 39.988900,-75.099975 [map] * On the Port Richmond tour. * See also: +hksculpt.com +Harold Kimmelman @ philasculptors.org +unofficial history of Engine Company 28 |
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Fire Engine Harold Kimmelman, 1972 * small horses, fire-fighting equipment, sitting person, standing person * Front wall. Fire Station, North side of Frankford between Decatur and Harel. * 40.040575,-75.030900 [map] * See also: +hksculpt.com +Harold Kimmelman @ philasculptors.org |
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Fire Hat Harold Kimmelman, 1975 * Helmet * Wall. Northwest corner, 56th and Chestnut. * 39.959575,-75.233050 [map] * See also: +hksculpt.com +Harold Kimmelman @ philasculptors.org |
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A Friend Charles Parks, 1976 * two people, one standing, one sitting, hat, gun * Outside Police Headquarters. South side of Race between 7th and 8th. * 39.954750,-75.152000 [map] * On the Convention District tour. * See also: +charlesparks.com |
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Firemen in Action Harold Kimmelman, 1976 * small standing and running people wearing helmets, fire-fighting equipment * Wall. Northwest corner, 6th and South. * 39.942075,-75.152400 [map] * On the Lombard-South tour. * See also: +hksculpt.com +Harold Kimmelman @ philasculptors.org |
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Phoenix Rising in Flames Natalie Charkow, 1976 * phoenix, flames * In front of the Fire Administration Building. South side of Spring Garden, East of 3rd. * 39.960560,-75.143025 [map] * On the Northern Liberties tour. * See also: +Natalie Charkow @ nyss.org |
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Horse Team and Pumper Making A Run Harold Kimmelman, 1978 * small seated person, partial person, hat and helmet, fire-fighting equipment, horses * Wall. West side of 2nd, North of York. * 39.987575,-75.135825 [map] * On the Port Richmond tour. * See also: +hksculpt.com +Harold Kimmelman @ philasculptors.org |
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Fire Rescue Scene of Infant Rebecca Rose, 1986 * small people standing, carried, helmets, fire-fighting equipment, parts of building * Wall. South side of Snyder just West of 4th. * 39.922225,-75.153775 [map] * On the South Philly tour. |
Historical | |
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Philadelphia Firsts George Greenamyer, 1998 * Portrayals of and references to John Bartram, William Camac, Mary Cassat, Rebecca Cole, Thomas Eakins, John Fitch, Benjamin Franklin, Francis Hopkinson and Betsy Ross * small standing people, building, tiger, boat, fish, fire, medical and fire-fighting equipment, flag, plant * inscription: First American Zoo 1874 The first animal and Dr. William Camac, founder First American museum and art school 1805 The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Thomas Eakins and Mary Cassat First American volunteer fire company 1736 The union, founded by Benjamin Franklin First American botanical garden 1728 Bartram's Gardens John Bartram with Franklinia alatamaha First American steamboat 1785 John Fitch, inventor First African-American to graduate from the Women's Medical College 1867 Dr. Rebecca Cole First American Flag 1777 Betsy Ross, seamstress Francis Hopkinson, alleged designer * On top of a pole outside 1515 Arch (aka One Parkway). * 39.954900,-75.166100 [map] * On the Parkway tour. * See also: +greenamyer.com +Bartram's Garden +History of the Philadelphia Zoo +askart.com's Mary Cassat page +wikipedia.org's Rebecca Cole page +wikipedia.org's Thomas Eakins page +wikipedia.org's John Fitch page +The Electric Franklin +flagguys.com's Francis Hopkinson page +ushistory.org's Betsy Ross page |