William Penn Annex West in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Alexander Milne Calder
Sculptor
— 1846-1923 —
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 2014
1. Alexander Milne Calder Marker
Alexander Milne Calder emigrated from Scotland in 1868 and spent twenty years creating over 250 sculptures that adorn City Hall. His bronze William Penn, installed atop the tower in 1894, is thought to be the largest sculpture on top of a building at 37 feet tall and 27 tons. Calder’s son and grandson were also sculptors: Alexander Stirling Calder’s Swann Memorial Fountain is located in Logan Circle and Alexander ”Sandy” Calder’s monumental Ghost mobile hangs in the grand stair of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
BelowWilliam Penn are eight colossal bronzes of native Americans, Swedish settlers, and eagles. Allegorical sculptures on the building represent history, peoples of the world and nature, and collectively symbolize the spirit upon which the United States was founded.
Generations of Philadelphians have identified City Hall tower as the symbol of their city. The tower is visible for miles and remains the physical and civic heart of Philadelphia.
Erected by The Pew Charitable Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 39° 57.183′ N, 75° 9.8′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Philadelphia City Hall Gates (a few steps from this marker); Gloria Casarez (a few steps from this marker); Tricentennial Anniversary of German Settlement (a few steps from this marker); Major General John Fulton Reynolds (a few steps from this marker); John Christian Bullitt (within shouting distance of this marker); Mother Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); General George McClellan / Major General John Fulton Reynolds (within shouting distance of this marker); General George B. McClellan (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
More about this marker. One of the many markers placed on or about Philadelphia City Hall.
Also see . . . Alexander Milne Calder. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. Photo caption is incorrect.
The man in the photograph is clearly not Alexander Milne Calder!
It is 19-year-old Frederick Ullberg, who was a bronze fitter and finisher at Tacony Iron Works. He was the son of August Ullberg, who was commissioned from Denmark to solve the casting problems that were being experienced by Tacony Iron Works.
— Submitted January 26, 2023, by Beth Tafel Shuster of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
from Wikipedia, unknown
3. Alexander Milne Calder
" Calder won the competition to make "William Penn" in 1874 and completed all his City Hall work by 1893."
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 555 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on January 26, 2023, by Beth Tafel Shuster of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on August 20, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on February 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
