William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Religious Liberty
Dedicated
to the
People of the United States
by the
Order B'nai B'rith
and
Israelites of America.
In commemoration
of the
Centennial Anniversary
of
American Independence.
[Plaque on the statue:]
Moses Jacob Ezekial (1844-1917)
Religious Liberty, c. 1874-76
The B'nai B'rith organization commissioned the esteemed American Jewish sculptor, Moses Ezekiel, to produce Religious Liberty for the US Centennial. It was dedicated in Fairmont Park in 1876, rededicated for the Bicentennial in 1976, and in 1986 moved just north of here where the National Museum of American Jewish History shared its home with historic Congregation Mikveh Israel. The sculptor was relocated to this august site in 2010.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, Ezekiel was a loyal Confederate soldier in the Civil War. After the war, he studies in art in Rome where he carved Religious Liberty from a single block of carrara marble.
On this site, in harmony with the Liberty Bell, this sculpture proclaims a resounding message of religious freedom for all Americans.
For more information come in to the National Museum of American Jewish History or visit NMAJH.org/religiousliberty.
this page online
Erected by Order B'nai B'rith; The National Museum of American Jewish History.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.
Location. 39° 57.021′ N, 75° 8.927′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is at the intersection of South 5th Street (County Road 2003) and Market Street (County Road 2004), on the right when traveling north on South 5th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Bourse (within shouting distance of this marker); "I and my household" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Death Carts (about 300 feet away); Refuge in the country (about 300 feet away); The opener of the Way (about 300 feet away); "I am free now" (about 300 feet away); A Day of Reciprocity (about 300 feet away); The Executive Branch (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 14, 2020
3. Additional plaque on the statue with donor information
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
