Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
“North America” sculpted by Daniel Chester French
Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 1, 2018
1. “North America” sculpted by Daniel Chester French Marker
In “North America”, one of the four monumental sculptures called “The Continents” a Plains Indian looks over the shoulder of America. As illustrated by the surrounding detail photographs, French acknowledged the diversity and contributions of the native cultures of the Americas.
“By sharing information and the weavings from my people, the museum helps us show that Mayan culture continues.” Juana Velasco
(Ixil Mayan)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 40° 42.266′ N, 74° 0.83′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. It is on State Street/Broadway near Battery Place, on the left when traveling south. The marker is one of several in a bank to the right of the main entrance to the National Museum of the American Indian. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: One Bowling Green, New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Marketplace (here, next to this marker); Places of Exchange (here, next to this marker); Sharing the Circle (here, next to this marker); Native People Of The Western Hemisphere (here, next to this marker); George Gustav Heye (here, next to this marker); American Merchant Marine (here, next to this marker); Drawn To The City (a few steps from this marker); …to Manhattan (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The lettering has faded so much that the marker is very difficult to read.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 1, 2018
2. “North America” marker site
The bank of markers to the right of the entrance.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, December 1, 2018
3. “North America”, by Daniel Chester French
The Native American is barely visible behind her right shoulder.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 14, 2019
4. Inset
Has-Queem, the Delaware word for corn, is one of the great contributions to the world from the native peoples of this hemisphere.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 14, 2019
5. Inset
The broken pottery vessels and a buffalo skull allude to the native peoples who existed on this land long before the arrival of Europeans.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 14, 2019
6. Inset
The raven, like the eagle, has a great significance to many native cultures of the Arctic and Northwestern regions of North America.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 14, 2019
7. Inset
The eagle, an important spiritual image in many native cultures, was adopted as a symbol of power by the new American nation.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, March 14, 2019
8. Inset –
America sits upon a throne decorated with Mayan glyphs, her foot on the head of Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent. These symbols represent the powerful highly-developed cultures to the south.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, 1999
9. The National Museum of the American Indian (and Federal Bankruptcy Court)
Formerly the Alexander Hamilton Custom House. The marker bank is to the right of the entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on March 8, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
