Philadelphia Public Art @philart.net

Nearby 39.954000,-75.145815

List View | Map View

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

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

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

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

Skin of the Bride
Isaiah Zagar, 1991 - 2000
* big abstract, words
* Was on the South side of Vine between 2nd and 3rd on the walls of the Painted Bride Art Center, which is no longer the home of the Painted Bride. The mosaic was dismantled in 2023.
* Walls.
* 39.955725,-75.143950 [map] [nearby]
* Exhibits: Missing, Mosaic
* See also:
+phillymagicgardens.org article about this piece
+phillymagicgardens.org

We the People
Ian Bader, Henry N. Cobb, 2003 (year of building)
* big preamble to the Constitution, sign
* inscription: We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty for the United States of America. to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution
* Wall. Constitution Center. West side of 5th, North of Arch.
* 39.953275,-75.148700 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+pfc-p.com's page for the building
+pfc-p.com's Ian Bader page
+pfc-p.com's Henry N. Cobb page
+constitutioncenter.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

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

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

Last Resting Place of Benjamin Franklin
* Memorial to and relief bust of (with quotes from) Benjamin Franklin, Honore Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau, Anne Robert Jacques Turgot and George Washington
* small head
* inscription:
The last resting place of Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790
"Venerated for benevolence, admired for talent, esteemed for patriotism, beloved for philanthropy"
-Washington
"The sage whom two worlds claimed as their own."
-Mirabeua
"He tore from the skies the lightning and from tyrants the sceptre"
-Turgot

* Fencepost. South side of Arch, just East of 5th.
* 39.952450,-75.148250 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* Exhibits: Unidentified Artists
* See also:
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+wikipedia.org's Mirabeau page
+wikipedia.org's Turgot page
+wikipedia.org's George Washington page

Bolt of Lightning
Isamu Noguchi, 1984
* Representation of an act of Benjamin Franklin
* big kite, lightening, key
* Despite the sidewalk and stairs in front of this piece there is no safe way to reach it on foot. The webmaster recommends observing it from the West side of 6th.
* At the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge. 6th and Vine.
* 39.955450,-75.148750 [map] [nearby]
* On the Independence Mall tour
* See also:
+associationforpublicart.org's page for this piece
+noguchi.org
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin page
+wikipedia.org's Benjamin Franklin Bridge page