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Fairmount Park in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Thorfinn Karlsefni

1918

— Einar Jonsson (1874-1954) —

 
 
Thorfinn Karlsefni Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2022
1. Thorfinn Karlsefni Marker
Inscription.
Thorfinn was a viking explorer whose expeditions were recorded in the "Saga of Eric the Red." This epic story tells of his arrival on North American shores in the early 11th century. Noted Icelandic sculptor Einar Jonsson captured the Viking spirit, conveying how Thorfinn might have appeared since no known images exist.

This is the first of a series of sculptures, known as the Samuel Memorial, that interprets the history of America. The other works can be found just north of here (to your right). The collection was funded through the bequest of Ellen Phillips Samuel. Her husband, J. Bunford Samuel, commissioned this work after his wife's death.
 
Erected by Museum Without Walls. (Marker Number 25.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, MusicExploration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
 
Location. 39° 58.21′ N, 75° 11.397′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Fairmount Park. It is on Kelly Drive just west of Lemon Hill Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia PA 19130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Pilgrim (within shouting distance of this marker);
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Joe Burk (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Terrace (approx. 0.2 miles away); The PECO Challenge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fairmount Dam Fishway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Chicken (approx. 0.2 miles away); Otterly unique / Generations of otters / Otter Family Tree (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.
 
Additional keywords. Mediaeval European exploration; Medieval European exploration
 
Thorfinn Karlsefni Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2022
2. Thorfinn Karlsefni Marker
Unfortunately the sculpture was missing at the time of the photograph.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 492 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
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Jul. 3, 2026