Philadelphia Firsts, (sculpture).

Philadelphia Firsts, (sculpture).

Greenamyer, George, 1939- , sculptor.

Philadelphia Firsts, (sculpture).

Installed Nov. 1998.

Approx. H. 19 x W. 12 ft.

(On plaza at base of sculpture:) PHILADELPHIA FIRSTS - 1998 -GEORGE MOSSMAN GREENAMYER - An original artwork commissioned under the City of Philadelphia's Percent for Art Program (copyright symbol) George Greenamyer. First American flag - 1777 - Betsy Ross, seamstress - Francis Hopkinson - alleged designer / First American - volunteer fire company - 1736 - the Union, founded by - Benjamin Franklin / First American museum and art school - 1805 - The Pennsylvania - Academy of Fine Arts - Thomas Eakins and - Mary Cassatt / First African-American - to graduate from - the Women's Medical - College - 1887 - Dr. Rebecca Cole / First American zoo - 1874 - The Philadelphia Zoo - the first animal and Dr. William Camac, founder / First American - botanical garden - 1728 - Bartram's Gardens - John Bartram with - Franklinia Altahama / First American - steamboat - 1785 - John Fitch, inventor

A wind vane sculpture illustrating seven Philadelphia events depicted on a horizontal bar at the top of a tall metal pole. The stone plaza at the base of the sculpture is inscribed with the names and dates of the events depicted in the sculpture, which are: First American flag (1777); First American volunteer fire company (1736); First American museum and art school, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1805); First African-American to graduate from the Women's Medical College, (1887); First American zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo (1874); First American botanical garden, Bartram's Gardens (1728); and First American steamboat (1785).

History -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

Outdoor Sculpture -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

City of Philadelphia, Public Art Office, 1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor, One Parkway Building, Entrance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102

The intiator of the sculpture was the City of Philadelphia, Capital Program Office, Percent for Art Program.

Inventory staff, 2001.

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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