Harry L. Johnson, (sculpture).

Harry L. Johnson, (sculpture).

Paramino, John Francis, 1888/89-1956, sculptor.

Unknown (Boston, MA), founder.

Harry L. Johnson, (sculpture).

Cast 1922. Dedicated Nov. 11, 1922. Relocated 1947.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture and reliefs: bronze; Base: grey granite.

Sculpture: approx. H. 60 ft. x W. 33 in.

(On front of base, below figure, incised lettering:) IN MEMORIAM/HARRY L. JOHNSON/1922 (On wall above figure's head, incised lettering:) HIS MOTTO/"BE NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING."/Gal. 6.9 (Across top of left wall, incised lettering: ERECTED BY ENDICOTT JOHNSON WORKERS (Across top of right wall: AND CITIZENS OF JOHNSON CITY, N. Y. (Across bottom of left relief plaque:) GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY/DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS ST. JOHN XV, XXIII

A bronze sculpture of Harry L. Johnson seated in a chair with both elbows resting on the arms of the chair and his proper left hand on his lap. He is dressed in a jacket, vest, and tie. The sculpture is mounted on a square base in front of a rectangular wall that is flanked by two curved walls, each featuring a bronze relief plaque. The relief plaque on the left depicts Harry Johnson seated in proper right profile in front of a group of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation workers. The relief plaque on the right depicts Harry Johnson, his wife, and young children in front of their home.

Portrait male -- Johnson, Harry L. -- Full length

Occupation -- Industry -- Manufacturing

Object -- Furniture -- Chair

Figure group -- Male

Occupation -- Craft -- Shoemaker

Dress -- Accessory -- Protective Gear

Portrait group -- Family

Architecture -- Domestic -- House

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Johnson City

Administered by Village of Johnson City, 243 Main Street, Johnson City, New York 13790

Located Your Home Public Library, 107 Main Street, Near parking lot, Johnson City, New York 13790

The memorial was erected by Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation workers, and citizens of Johnson City, who contributed $28,000 for the memorial. Harry L. Johnson (1873-1921) was the youngest brother of industrialist George F. Johnson, cofounder of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation. Harry L. Johnson joined the family firm at the age of 22, eventually rising to general manager of the Johnson City factories of the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corporation. He is credited with devising a plan to provide homes for the company's workers during World War I housing shortages. The shoe company purchased land, and built homes, and then rented the homes to the workers with the rent being applied to the purchase price of the home. Harry L. Johnson was also a major supporter of Your Home Public Library, as well as community parks, swimming pools, merry-go-rounds, sport and recreation centers, fire stations, and hospitals.

The sculpture was originally located at the corner of Main Street and Lester Avenue, but in 1947, due to construction of the Endicott Johnson Recreation Center, it was moved 75 feet. IAS files contain an excerpt from J. Frail's "Historical Background of Johnson City," ca. 1952, pg. 43; and a July 1979 Building-Structure Inventory from the Division for Historic Preservation, New York State Parks and Recreation, Albany, NY.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York survey, 1993.

SOS Assessment Award, 1999.

Inventory staff, 2000.

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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