Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
William Rush
America's first sculptor
William Rush (1756-1833) is considered the first major American sculptor. He began his career as a carver of ship mastheads. Active in civic affairs, he served as a City Councilman and helped found the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the nation's first art school. He also served on the Watering Committee, the group responsible for overseeing the Water Works.
Rush, assisted partly by his son John, is responsible for several sculptures at the Water Works. These included pieces atop the Eagle and Mercury Pavilions, the Allegory of the Schuylkill River (Water Nymph and Bittern), and two great works atop the entrance houses, the Allegory of the Schuylkill River in its Improved State (Schuylkill Chained) and the Allegory of the Water Works (Schuylkill Freed).
Erected by Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Government & Politics • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 39° 58.005′ N, 75° 10.995′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fairmount Park. Marker can be reached from Waterworks Drive, 0.3 miles south of Kelly Drive, on
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Arch & Standpipe (here, next to this marker); Engine & Mill Houses (a few steps from this marker); General Nathanael Greene (within shouting distance of this marker); Lafayette (within shouting distance of this marker); The Forebay (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Montgomery (within shouting distance of this marker); How the Water Works Worked / Useful & Beautiful (within shouting distance of this marker); John Paul Jones (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 8, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 8, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
