Founder's Gate, (sculpture).

Founder's Gate, (sculpture).

Birch, Emile A., 1947- , sculptor.

Founder's Gate, (sculpture).

Founder's Monument, (sculpture).

1988. Dedicated July 4, 1988.

Digital Reference:

Painted galvanized steel, reinforced concrete, ceramic tile.

Approx. 12 ft. x 10 ft. 8 in. x 3 ft.

E. Birch 1988 (On bronze plaque on inner concrete column:) ...WEE...BRETHREN/OF THE CHURCH OF EXCETER,/SITUATE & LYING UPON THE/RIVER OF PISCATAQUAKE Wth/OTHER INHABITANTS THERE/CONSIDERING Wth OUR SELVES/THE HOLY WILL OF GOD AND/OUR OWNE NECESSITY THAT/WE SHOULD NOT LIVE Wth/OUT WHOLSOME LAWES & CIVIL/GOVERNMENT AMONGST US,/OF Wh WE ARE ALTOGETHER/DESTITUTE, DOE...COMBINE OUR/SELVES TOGETHER, TO ERECT/& SET UP AMONGST US SUCH/GODLY & CHRISTIAN LAWS/AS ARE ESTABLISHED IN THE/REALME OF ENGLAND TO OUR/BEST KNOWLEDGE, & TO ALL/OTHER SUCH LAWES Wh SHALL/UPON GOOD GROUNDS BE MADE/& INACTED AMONGST US...Yt/WE MAY LIVE QUIETLY &/PEACEABLELY TOGETHER IN/ALL GODLYNESS AND HONESTY./MON. 5th, D. 4th 1639. signed

Abstract gateway with figurative bas-relief tiles. There are two steel outer columns; each 9 inches square. The southwest column is painted dark brown, the northeast column is painted brick red. Two larger concrete inner columns are set at an angle to the square of the gateway. One of the columns is cut with a zigzag line down the center, creating two separate vertical pieces. The other inner column is stepped along the top outer edge. The columns are spanned by a concrete lintel with two triangular notches. Along the bottom of the lintel are bas-relief tiles. Dark brown tiles on the northwest side depict four fish and a lion's head. Dark brown tiles on the southeast side depict the faces of Nicholas Gilman, John Wheelwright and two Indians. A brick red tile depicts the face of John Phillips. The sculpture is set on a landscaped mound. Three granite steps lead up to the gateway from either side.

Abstract -- Geometric

History -- United States -- New Hampshire

History -- United States -- Colonization

Ethnic -- Indian

Portrait male -- Gillman, Nicholas -- Bust

Occupation -- Political -- Legislator

Occupation -- Other -- Colonist

Portrait male -- Wheelwright, John -- Bust

Occupation -- Other -- Colonizer

Portrait male -- Phillips, John -- Bust

Occupation -- Education -- Administrator

Outdoor Sculpture -- New Hampshire -- Exeter

Administered by Town of Exeter, 10 Front Street, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833

Located Founders Park, Pleasant Street, Exeter, New Hampshire

The gate was commissioned as part of the 350th anniversary celebration of the town of Exeter. Commissioning award for the gate was $30,000. The bas-relief tiles represent historic figures in the town of Exeter: Nicholas Gillman was a delegate and signer of the U.S. Constitution, John Wheelwright was the founder of Exeter, and John Phillips was the founder of Phillips Exeter Academy. IAS files contain copies of related articles from Boston Sunday Globe, Feb. 21 and July 3, 1988 and Exeter News Letter, May 6, June 10 and July 5, 1988.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New Hampshire survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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