Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.952300,-75.144675

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Cats
Henry Mitchell, 1974
* small cats
* On what was probably once a fountain that is now mostly used for sitting and flowerpots and is almost always surrounded by people.
* Courtyard. Betsy Ross House. North side of Arch East of 3rd.
* 39.952300,-75.144675 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+Betsy Ross House post about this piece at facebook.com
+Belinda Fewings' picture of this piece at flickr.com
+lisaamulvey's picture of this piece on flickr.com
+cantonartcollection.com's Henry Mitchell bio
+historicphiladelphia.org's Besty Ross House page

At the Center
Gord Peteran, 2011 (year the Museum (formerly the Center) moved into the building)
* carved concentric circles
* The door handles are attributed 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
+Gord Peteran's page on instagram.com
+museumforartinwood.org

Hippo Head Fountain
1976
* hippo head fountain
* inscription: Funds for this park were granted by the Board of City Trusts from a fund created by the estate of Stephen Girard for the improvement of the Delaware front of the city
* Courtyard.. Girard Fountain Park. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952425,-75.146290 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Girard Fountain Park page

Keys to Community
James Peniston, 2007
* bust incorporating symbol of Benjamin Franklin
* big head and torso, keys
* On top of the wall. Girard Fountain Park. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952415,-75.146300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Favorites
* See also:
+artist's page for this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+jepsculpture.com
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+wikipedia.org's Girard Fountain Park page

October 4, 1922 Fire Memorial Plaque
2014 (approximate)
* Memorial to Albert Fischer, Thomas Gilloway, Patrick A. Murray and Edward Paxson
* Philadelphia Fire Department insignia
* inscription:
Ladderman Thomas Gilloway Truck 2
Ladderman Edward Paxson Truck 2
Hoseman Patrick A. Murray Engine 21
Hoseman Albert Fischer Engine 21
Who died in the line of duty while serving the citizens of Philadelphia on October 4, 1922
Dedicated by their family and friends
* Wall. North side of Arch, East of 4th..
* 39.952420,-75.146375 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+newspapers.com clip about the fire and the firefighters

Benjamin Franklin in Fireman's Hat
Dexter Jones, 1968
* Head of Benjamin Franklin
* big head, hat
* South wall. Engine Company 8. North side of Arch, East of 4th.
* 39.952425,-75.146450 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters
* See also:
+woodmereartmuseum.org's Dexter Jones page
+nationalsculpture.org's Dexter Jones Award
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+firemanshallmuseum.org's Engine 8 page

Elfreth's Alley Sign
* small houses, sign
* South side of Elfreth's Alley. East side of 2nd, North of Arch.
* 39.952825,-75.143020 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+elfrethsalley.org

University of Pennsylvania Class of 1930 Plaque
1980
* Bas relief bust of Benjamin Franklin
* small head, seal of the University of Pennsylvania
* inscription: Benjamin Franklin
1706-1790
The class of 1930 at its 50th Reunion honors Benjamin Franklin founder of the University of Pennsylvania which began at this site in 1749 and which in 1779 became the first University in this nation. We recognize the growth of our beloved institution from small beginning to world renown. May our fellow men note our affection for the University and our respect for its architect.
* Wall. West side of 4th, just South of Arch.
* 39.952250,-75.146900 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page

Fireman's Hall Sign
* small sign, fire engine, horse, sitting people, helmets
* South wall. Fireman's Hall Museum. Just East of 2nd and Quarry.
* 39.953230,-75.142850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+firemanshallmuseum.org

Gulf Refinery Fire Memorial
2007
* Plaques in memory of John Andrews, Carrol Brenek, Ralph Campana, Robert J. Fisher, Hugh McIntyre, Roger Parker, James Pouliot and Joseph R. Wiley
* Philadelphia Fire Department insignia
* inscription:
The plaques below memorialize those firefighters who lost their lives at the Gulf Refinery Fire on August 17, 1975
* Sidewalk. On the West side of Fireman's Hall Museum. East side of 2nd, North of Quarry.
* 39.953290,-75.142910 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Police and Fire Fighters, Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's 1975 Philadelphia Refinery Fire page
+firehero.org's John Andrews page
+findagrave.com's Carroll Brenek page
+firehero.org's Ralph Campana page
+firehero.org's Robert Fisher page
+firehero.org's Hugh McIntyre page
+firehero.org's Roger Parker page
+findagrave.com's James Pouliot page
+firehero.org's Joseph Wiley page
+firemanshallmuseum.org

Charles E. Schaeffer, D.D., S.T.D.
1975
* Plaque with bas relief bust of Charles E. Schaeffer
* small head and shoulders
* inscription:
Charles E. Schaeffer, D.D., S.T.D.
1867-1966
In grateful appreciation of his loyal and distinguished service to the Old First Evangelical and Reformed Church and for his Christian service in the church-at-large, distinguishing himself as General Secretary of the Board for Home Missions from 1908-1941.
He served in various capacities over the years at home and abroad in the Reformed Church and was a staunch supporter of the present United Church of Christ. Therefore this garden is dedicated in his honor on October 26, 1975.
* East inside front garden wall. Old First Reformed. South side of Race, East of 4th.
* 39.954000,-75.145815 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+oldfirstucc.org

Thirteen into One
Harold Kimmelman, 1977
* abstract idea representation
* Fenced garden, East of 4th, North of Market. Visible through the fence at the East end next to the walkway.
* 39.950825,-75.146300 [map] [nearby]
* On the Old City tour
* See also:
+hksculpt.com

Birds in Flight
Joseph J. Greenberg, Jr., 1985
* abstract birds
* Parking lot, North side of Market between Front and 2nd, North of the ramp.
* 39.950175,-75.142850 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* See also:
+nytimes.com Joseph J. Greenberg obituary

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:
+artist's page for this piece
+chrisray.com
+mikvehisrael.org

Gift of the Winds
Joseph C. Bailey, 1978
* abstract form
* Was on the Northeast corner of 5th and Market. Moved between November 2020 and July 2021. The first picture was taken while the area around the original location was being rebuilt. The rest of the pictures are from the new location.
* West of 4th, South of the walkway that runs between 4th and 5th North of Market.
* 39.950925,-75.147400 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Moved
* See also:
+Max Buten's first picture of this piece
+Max Buten's second picture of this piece
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+askart.com's Joseph C. Bailey page

Jonathan Netanyahu Memorial
Buky Schwartz, 1986
* Memorial to Jonathan Netanyahu
* abstract forms
* inscription:
Entebbe, Jonathan Netanyahu, July 4, 1976.
They were swifter than eagles, they were faster than lions. The bow of Jonathan turned not back. II Samuel 1.22,23
Jonathan Netanyahu, 1946-1976
* Outside Mikveh Israel. East Side of 5th Street, North of Market, along the walkway between 4th and 5th.
* 39.951115,-75.147760 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Religious, War
* See also:
+Max Buten's picture of this piece
+bukyschwartz.com
+wikipedia.org's Jonathan Netanyahu page
+mikvehisrael.org

Marquee
Aaron Igler, Matthew Suib, Richard Torchia, 2011
* LED representation of water
* inscription: Light Emitting diodes (LEDs) displaying live-feed video of the surface of the Delaware River sourced from a camera pointed east. Never the same twice, the real-time images of the Delaware River streaming overhead shift constantly according to weather and lighting conditions, as well as boating patterns and river wildlife. Drawing attention toward the waterfront these images also encourage viewers to reimagine the cascading noise of overpass traffic as the sound of waves. By reciprocating the gesture made by the Race Street Pier, an urban park that brings the city to the river, Marquee brings the river to the city.
* West side of the I-95 overpass. Race, East of 2nd.
* 39.953750,-75.141600 [map] [nearby]
* On the Penn's Landing tour
* See also:
+greenhousemedia.com (Aaron Igler and Matthew Suib)
+publicartarchive.org's Matt Suib page
+wheatonarts.org's Richard Torchia page

Dedicated to the American Secretary
Costantino Nivola, 1970
* abstract standing person
* Moved slightly Northeast some time before June 20, 2014, from back against the wall of the building as in the second picture, to up against the sidewalk railing as in the first picture.
* Plaza. South side of Market, between 4th and 5th.
* 39.950250,-75.148000 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Moved, Labor
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Costantino Nivola page
+publicartarchive.org's Constantino Nivola page