Statue of Alexander von Humboldt (Philadelphia) facts for kids
Alexander von Humboldt statue (2012)
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| Location | Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Designer | Friedrich Drake |
| Material | Bronze Granite (pedestal) |
| Beginning date | September 13, 1869 |
| Completion date | 1871 |
| Dedicated to | Alexander von Humboldt |
The Alexander von Humboldt statue is a large statue found in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It honors Alexander von Humboldt, a famous scientist and explorer. The statue was finished in 1871 and given to the city in 1876.
Contents
History of the Statue
Who was Alexander von Humboldt?
Alexander von Humboldt was a very smart and curious person from Prussia (which is now part of Germany). He lived a long time ago, in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was a "polymath," meaning he knew a lot about many different subjects, like science, nature, and geography.
Humboldt's Visit to Philadelphia
In May 1804, Humboldt traveled through the Americas on one of his scientific trips. During this journey, he visited the city of Philadelphia.
Building the Monument
Many years later, on September 13, 1869, people celebrated Humboldt's 100th birthday. To honor him, the German society in Philadelphia laid the first stone for a monument. This happened in Fairmount Park, on a small hill that looked over the Girard Avenue Bridge.
The statue of Humboldt was created by Friedrich Drake. He was a German sculptor who lived in Berlin. The statue was completed in 1871.
Dedication and Gift to the City
A few years later, in 1876, the United States celebrated 100 years of independence. On this special occasion, the Humboldt statue was officially given to the city of Philadelphia. It was dedicated again during these celebrations.
In 1977, the statue was moved to a different spot within Fairmount Park. This information comes from the Association for Public Art.
Design of the Statue
The monument is made up of two main parts. There is a bronze sculpture of Humboldt himself. This sculpture sits on top of a base made of granite. This base is called a "socle."
Humboldt in the statue is wearing a long coat. His left hand rests on a globe, which is a model of the Earth. In his right hand, he holds a scroll. On this scroll, the word "COSMOS" is written. This refers to one of his famous books.
See also
In Spanish: Estatua de Alexander von Humboldt (Filadelfia) para niños
