Thursday, July 31, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: Parliament Building - Helsinki, Finland

Parliament Building
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.360;  E024° 56.038

Short Description: 

The Finnish Parliament Building is located at Mannerheimintie 30, 00100 Helsinki, Finland.


Long Description:

The Eduskunta is the 200 member unicameral parliament of Finland. It meets at the Parliament House in Helsinki.

In 1923, a competition selected the present site, hillside on Mannerheimintie, for the new Finnish Parliament House. In 1924 a design competition for the building was won by the architectural firm of Borg–Sirén–Åberg. Johan Sigfrid Sirén was select to design the building.

The four story Neo-Classical Parliament Building was constructed between 1926 and 1931 and opened on March 7, 1931. The exterior is made of red granite. The most striking feature of the façade is a colonnade of fourteen columns each topped with a Corinthian capital. A flight of steps the length of the colonnade leads up to the main lobby on the first floor. Above the colonnade is a series of circular windows.

The stamp was issued by Finland in 1963 as part of a set of twenty-two definitive stamps depicting sites in Finland.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Art Museum: Kiasma - Helsinki, Finland

Kiasma
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N 60° 10.291; E 024° 56.209

Short Description: 

The Kiasma contemporary art museum is located at Mannerheiminaukio 2 in the center of Helsinki, Finland. The controversial design is by award winning architect Steven Holl.

Back
Long Description:

The Kiasma is a 130,000 square foot glass and metal structure that includes an art museum with galleries, a theater, cafe, shop, and artist workshops. It was designed by the award winning American architect Steven Holl, a professor of architecture at Columbia University in New York City.

In 1992 a competition was held for the construction of a contemporary art museum in Helsinki. The design by Steven Holl, the only US entrant, was selected from among 516 entries. The long, curved, wedge shaped building was constructed between 1993 and 1998. It exhibits the contemporary art collection of the Finnish National Gallery.

Kiasma is Finnish for chiasma (anatomy = crossing point of the optic nerve or the crossing point in chromosome.) which reflects the basic conceptual idea of Stevn Holl. Acccording to his web site, Steven Holl describes his concept for the building.

Philatelic Photograph of Architectural Element
"The concept of Kiasma involves the building's mass intertwining with the geometry of the city and landscape which are reflected in the shape of the building. An implicit cultural line curves to link the building to Finlandia Hall while it also engages a "natural line" connecting to the back landscape and Töölö Bay."

Steven Holl is the winner of two prestigious architectural awards. In 1998, he was awarded the Alvar Aalto Medal and, in 2012, AIA Gold Medal. He has received many other honors and awards for his work, including: New York American Institute of Architects Medal of Honor, the French Grande Médaille d’Or, the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in Architecture. He has been elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim - Helsinki, Finland

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.295; E024° 56.175

Short Description: 

The equestrian statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim is located on Mannerheimintie (Mannerheim Street) in front of the Kiasma Museum.



Long Description:

Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was born on June 4, 1867. He was a military leader and statesman and is regarded by the Finnish people as the father of the independent country of Finland.

Mannerhein was a General in the Russian Army when Finland was under the control of the Russian czar. At the end of World War I, Finland gained its independence. After the October Revolution of 1918, Mannerheim was the leader of the anti-Bolshevik White Guards during the Finnish Civil War. He became Regent of Finland from 1918 – 1919, Commander-in-Chief of Finland's Defence Forces during World War II, Marshal of Finland, and the sixth President of Finland from 1944 – 1946. He resigned the presidency in 1946 and died on January 27, 1951.

The monument to Marshal Mannerheim is placed in the center of Helsinki on Mannerheimintie Avenue. In 1951 sculptor Aimo Tukainen won a design contest for the creation of the monument which was funded by public subscription. The monument was dedicated in 1960.

The bronze statue of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim depicts the Finnish leader riding a horse while holding the reins in his left hand and a baton in his right hand. Mannerheim is dressed in full military uniform with fur hat. A sword hangs down from his left hip. The statue rests on a base made of red granite blocks. The statue and base is 11.5 meters (38 feet) high.




The inscription MANNERHEIM appears on the lower right of the of the left side of the base. The dates 1867 - 1951 appears on the lower left of the right side of the base.

The stamp was issued by Finland on June 4, 1967 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Lutheran Church: Temppeliaukio Church - Helsinki, Finland


Temppeliaukio Church
Helsinki, Finland

Dome and Organ

Altar

Holy Water Font

GPS: N60° 10.371; E024° 55.465

Quick Description: 

Temppeliaukio (Lutheran) Church is popularly known as the Rock Church or the Church of the Rock. It is also one of Helsinki's premier attractions.

Church Entrance

Long Description:

The Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki at Lutherinkatu 3. The architects of this church were the brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. The unique design a beauty of the church make it a must-see attraction for visitors to Helsinki. The church opened in 1969.

The church is built by excavating into solid granite rock outcrop that rises 40' above street level. The resulting space is covered with a magnificent copper dome. The dome is supported by a series of windows which brighten the interior in natural light. The church interior was designed by the architects and the 43 stop organ was manufactured by Veikko Virtanen. Due to the excellent acoustics created by the rock walls, classical music concerts are frequently held here.


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: Paavo Nurmi Monument- Helsinki, Finland

Paavo Nurmi Monument
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 11.060;  E024° 55.615

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Olympic distance runner, Paavo Nurmi, is located at the entrance to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland.


Long Description:

A larger-than-life-size bronze nude statue of Olympic athlete Paavo Nurmi is depicted in mid-stride on top of a granite base. His right foot is on the plinth while his left foot is behind and in the air. Paavo Nurmi, nicknamed the Flying Finn, was middle and long distance runner competing is distances between 1500 meters and 20 kilometers.

During the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium he won a silver medal in the 5,000 meter race and gold medals in the 10,000 meter, individual men's cross-country, and team cross-country events. During the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris he won five gold medals in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, 3,000 meters team, individual men's cross-country, and team men's cross-country. In the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam he won silver in the 5,000 meters and men's 3,000 meters steeplechase and gold in the men's 10,000 meters. Overall he won 3 silver and 9 gold medals in three Olympic Games. During his 14 year career he set 22 world records and was unbeaten in both the men's cross-country events and at 10,000 meters.


The side of the base is inscribed PAAVO NURMI and a plaque on the front of the base is inscribed:


PAAVO NURMI
1897-1972

{Olympic Rings}

ANTWERPEN 1920
PARIS 1924
AMSTERDAM 1928

9 KULTAMITALIA - GUILMEDALJER - GOLD MEDALS
3 HOPEAMITELIA - SILVERMEDALJER - SILVER MEDALS
22 MAAILMANENÄTYSTÄ - VÄRLDSREKORD - WORLD RECORDS

KUVANVEISTÄI - SKULPTÖR - SCULPTURER - WÄINÖ AALTONEN

The stamp was issued by Finland in 1973 to commemorate the life of Paavo Nurmi.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Musicians: Jean Sibelius - Helsinki, Finland

Jean Sibelius
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.910; E024° 54.795

Short  Description: 

The Sibelius Monument honors the composer with an abstract sculpture and a bust Jean Sibelius. It is located in Sibelius Park, north and west of the city center in Helsinki.
Location: Finland


Long Description:

The Sibelius Monument is a major landmark of Helsinki and a must-see attraction for visitors to the city. It was constructed to honor the national composer of Finland, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), whose musical composition Finlandia inspired the nationalism that led to the formation of the modern Finland state.

In addition to Finlandia, Sibelius composed seven symphonies, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto in D minor, The Swan of Tuonela, over 100 songs, music for 13 plays, the opera Jungfrun i Tornet (The Maiden in the Tower), and pieces of chamber, piano and choral music.

The Sibelius monument was funded by public subscription organized by the Sibelius Society. Eila Hiltunen's design was selected from among 50 entries. The artist produced an abstract design featuring a grouping of pipes resembling organ pipes produced by assistant metalworker Emil Kukkonen. Architect Juhani Kivikoski, set the piece on a rocky outcrop in a park setting on September 7, 1967.

The original abstract design for the monument did not meet with public approval. There was a clamoring for a more traditional tribute. As a result, a sculpture of the head of Jean Sibelius was added to a rock outcropping to the right of the original monument.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: Sibelius Monument - Helsinki, Finland

Sibelius Monument
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.910;  E024° 54.795

Short Description: 

The Sibelius Monument is located in Sibelius Park, north and west of the city center in Helsinki, Finland.

Long Description:

The Sibelius Monument is a major landmark of Helsinki and a must-see attraction for visitors to the city. It was constructed to honor the national composer of Finland, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), whose musical composition Finlandia inspired the nationalism that led to the formation of the modern Finland state.

The monument was funded by public subscription organized by the Sibelius Society. Eila Hiltunen's design was selected from among 50 entries. The artist produced an abstract design featuring a grouping of pipes resembling organ pipes produced by assistant metalworker Emil Kukkonen. Architect Juhani Kivikoski, set the piece on a rocky outcrop in a park setting.

The Sibelius Monument consists of ca. 600 textured and welded stainless steel tubes of various diameters. The work is 10.5 meters long, 6.5 meters deep and 8.5 meters high. It weighs 30 tons. The monument was unveiled on September 7, 1967.

The stamp was issued by Finland on May 3, 2002.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Philatelic Photographs: Havis Amanda Fountain - Helsinki, Finland

Havis Amanda Fountain
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N 60° 10.050 E 024° 57.086


Short Description: 

The Havis Amanda Fountain is located at the Market Square in Helsinki, Finland.



Long Description:

The Havis Amanda Fountain derives its name from the central figure, a bronze, nude female figure rising up from the sea. The Art Nouveau sculpture was the creation of Ville Vallgren. It was cast in 1906 in Paris and unveiled at Market Square in Helsinki on September 20, 1908. The artist called the figure the Mermaid but soon she acquired other names. The Finland-Swedish newspapers called it Havis Amanda, the name that is now commonly used. According to the artist the figure is allegorical and represents the rebirth of Helsinki. The model for the statue was 19 year old Marcelle Delquini.

The statue of the woman is 1.94 meters high and stands on a 3 meter pedestal looking back with her head over her left shoulder. Below the statue, on the pedestal, are four fish that spout water into a large granite basin. On the corners of the basin four large sea lions spout water back towards the central figure.

Despite its controversial initial reception this this beautiful fountain has become one of the iconic and best loved images of the City of Helsinki. The statue is the centerpiece for the annual Vappa spring carnival celebration.

The upper stamp was issued by Finland in 1985 to commemorate the NORDIA Philatelic Exposition held from May 15 - 19 in Helsinki. The face value of the stamp is 1.5 markka but it sold for 10 markka which included admission to the exhibition.

The lower stamp was issued by Finland in 1976 and shows the Havis Amana Fountain in its Market Square setting.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Fountain: Water Nymphs - Helsinki, Finland

Water Nymphs
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.065; E024° 57.027

Short Description: 

A fountain with a sculpture of a boy riding on a mermaid, called Water Nymphs, is located in Esplanade Park in downtown Helsinki, Finland.


Long Description:

The bronze Water Nymphs fountain was created by Viktor Jansson. The 115 cm high sculpture, also known as "Play", was commissioned by the City of Helsinki and installed, in 1942, in a rectangular pool on the north east corner of the Esplanade Park in downtown Helsinki. It is one of two sculpture created by Viktor Jansson to be installed in Esplanade Park.

The sculpture depicts a young boy of toddler age sitting on the tail of a mermaid. His arms and legs are outstretched in an expression of joy. The mermaid is perched on the leaves of a plant looking back at the boy. Behind the mermaid a fish shoots water into a rectangular pool.



Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Fountain: A Free Ride - Helsinki, Finland

A Free Ride
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.065;  E024° 57.002

Short Description: 

A Free Ride (Hei Vaan) Fountain is located in the north east part of the Esplanade Park in downtown Helsinki.


Long Description:

The original name for this bronze sculpture by Viktor Jansson was "Hei Vaan". The name translates as "A Free Ride" in English. This is one of two fountains commissioned by the City of Helsinki, created by Viktor Jansson, and placed in Esplanade Park. They were completed and cast in bronze 1940 and were unveiled on May 15, 1942.

A young boy of toddler age is sitting on the tail of a fish (appears to be a cod) with his hands and arms outstretched in an expression of joy. The fish is curved so that its head is near the boy's right hand. The fish shoots a jet of water over the boy's head into a rectangular pool.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Poet: Johan Ludvig Runeberg - Helsinki, Finland


Johan Ludvig Runeberg
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.049; E024° 56.854


Short Description:

The statue of Finland's national poet, Johan Ludvig Runeberg, is located in the center of Esplanade Park, in downtown Helsinki, Finland.

Long Description:

Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-77) was Finland's national poet.  He is most famous for the poem Vårt Land (Our Land) which is the Finnish national anthem. Interesting, the poem is written in Swedish, not the predominate language of the country Finnish. Swedish is also an official language of Finland. It is spoken by 5% of the population.

Vårt Land was first performed on 13 May 1848. The poem was written in 1846 but not printed until 1848. It had 11 stanzas and formed the prologue to the great verse cycle The Tales of Ensign Stål ("Fänrik Ståhls Sägner"), a masterpiece of Romantic nationalism.

The sculpture Johan Ludvig Runeberg was created in 1885 by his son, Walter Runeberg. Beneath the statue of Runeberg is an allegorical female figure that personifies Finland , the Maiden of Finland. he maiden is wrapped in a bearskin. She is holding a tablet in her left hand that are inscribed with the words of the Finnish national anthem in Swedish. In her right hand she holds a laurel wreath. A stack of books lies under the tablet by her feet. The figure was completed in 1883.



Text and English translation of Vårt Land inscribed on the tablet.

{verse 1}
Vårt land, vårt land, vårt fosterland,
Ljud högt, o dyra ord!
Ej lyfts en höjd mot himlens rand,
Ej sänks en dal, ej sköljs en strand,
Mer älskad än vår bygd i nord,
Än våra fäders jord.

{verse 10}
O land, du tusen sjöars land,
Där sång och trohet byggt,
Där livets hav oss gett en strand,
Vår forntids land, vår framtids land,
Var för din fattigdom ej skyggt,
Var fritt, var glatt, var tryggt!

{verse 11}
Din blomning, sluten än i knopp,
Skall mogna ur sitt tvång;
Se, ur vår kärlek skall gå opp
Ditt ljus, din glans, din fröjd, ditt hopp,
Och högre klinga skall en gång
Vår fosterländska sång.


=======================================
{verse 1}
Our land, our land, our Fatherland!
Ring out, dear word, oh sound!
No rising hill, or mountain grand,
No sloping dale, no northern strand,
There is, more loved, to be found,
Than this — our fathers’ ground.

{verse 10}
Oh land, the thousand lakes’ own land,
Of faith, and lay, and glee,
Where life’s main sea gave us a strand,
Our fore-time’s land, our future’s land,
Shy of thy poorness, never be,
Be calm, be glad, be free!

{verse 11}
Thy blossom, hidden now from sight,
Shall burst its bud ere long.
Lo! from our love, shall rise aright,
Thy sun, thy hope, thy joy, thy light,
And higher, once, more full and strong,
Shall ring Our Country’s song.

=========================================

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Philatelic Photograph: Esplanade Park - Helsinki, Finland

Esplanade Park
Helsinki, Finland


GPS: N60° 10.053; E024° 56.938

Short Description: 

The Esplanade Park is located in downtown Helsinki.

Long Description:

Esplanade Park is a pedestrian oasis in downtown Helsinki. The park is about 0.25 miles long (380 meters) one block (70 meters) wide. It starts at the Havis Amanda Fountain in Market Square on the east and continues to the Svenska Teatern on the west.

The park contains a cafe, fountains, and statues. Many park benches line the north and south sides of the main avenue. The Esplanade is a very popular meeting place for both Helsinki residents and visitors to the city.

The stamp was issued by Finland in 1999 as part of the Europa series. it is based on a photo of the Esplanade taken by Markku Ulander. The photograph is taking facing west from about the mid-point of the eastern half of the park. The summer scene shows people strolling in the foreground with the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg in the background. Johan Ludvig Runeberg is the poet laureate of Finland who wrote, in Swedish, the words to the Finnish national anthem, Vårt Land.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Statues of Historic Figures: Tsar Alexander II Monument - Helsinki, Finland

Tsar Alexander II Monument
Helsinki, Finland



GPS: N60° 10.162; E024° 57.136

Quick Description: 

The large monument to Tsar Alexander II is located in the center of Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland.

Long Description:

The monument of Tsar Alexander II was sculpted by Walter Runeberg and unveiled in Senate Square on the anniversary of the Tsars birthday, April 29, 1894. During his lifetime, Alexander II was the Tsar of Russia, the King of Poland and the Grand Prince of Finland. He was well loved ruler who is most famous for the emancipation of serfs in 1861. This action gave him the name Alexander the Liberator.

In 1863, Alexander II In 1863, initiated a series of reforms in Finland. He re-opened the Diet of Finland and granted Finland greater autonomy. Finland was able to create its own currency and established a railway system under Finnish control. He also sanctioned making the Finnish the national language, along with Swedish.

Alexander II became a national hero in Finland. After his assassination in 1881, he was replaced with much less tolerant Tsars. The Finnish people would quietly protest Russian rule by venerating the statue of Alexander II in Senate Square, as the good Tsar. He is still considered the good Tsar to the present day in Finland.

A 7' bronze figure of Tsar Alexander II is on top of a large multi-tiered red granite pedestal. The Tsar of a is depicted giving a speech to the Parliament in 1863. He is wearing the uniform of a commissioned officer of the Finnish Guard. A uniform always wore on visits to Finland. He stands with a sword on his left side while gesturing with his right hand. Below Alexander II, around the pedestal, are several, about 7' high, bronze figures representing the law, culture and the peasants.

On the front of the pedestal is inscribed ALEXANDER II. Near the bottom of the base is the date 1863, the year he re-opened the Diet of Finland.



Thursday, July 17, 2014

Civil War: Soldiers and Sailors Monument - Boston, MA

Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
Boston Common
Boston, MA

GPS: N42° 21.325; W71° 3.983.

Short Description:

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is located top of Flagstaff Hill on the Boston Common.
 

Long Description:

Boston's Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument honors the men of Boston who died in service during the Civil War.  A 75' high column, made of Quincy granite, is topped by a bronze allegorical figure representing the Genius of America. The for bronze figures at the base represent Peace, the Sailor, the Muse of History, and the Soldier. Bas-relief plaques depict the departure and return of the Navy, the work of the Boston Sanitary Commission. The figures at the base of the column represent the sections of the country: North, South, East, and West.



Martin Milmore was the sculptor, Joseph Milmore the architect, the Ames Manufacturing Company and  the Robert Wood & Company were the founders. The monument was dedicated on September 7, 1877.

TO THE MEN OF BOSTON
WHO DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY
ON LAND AND SEA IN THE WAR
WHICH KEPT THE UNION WHOLE
DESTROYED SLAVERY
AND MAINTAINED THE CONSTITUTION
THE GRATEFUL CITY
HAS BUILT THE MONUMENT
THAT THEIR EXAMPLE MAY SPEAK
TO COMING GENERATIONS 


Navy Leaving

Navy Returning
Boston Sanitation Commission


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Maritime Monument: Mine Sweepers Memorial - Boston, MA

Mine Sweepers Memorial
Boston Common
Boston, MA

GPS: N41° 21.335; W71° 3.980

Short Description:

The Mine Sweepers Memorial  is located at the top of Flagstaff Hill near the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on the Boston Common.

Long Description:

During World War I the U. S. Mine Squadron One, aka The Yankee Mining Squadron, laid and later removed  about 56,000 mine in the  250 mile entrance to the North Sea from Scotland to Norway. This created an effective  barrier against German U-boats. In 1921, the Mine Sweepers Memorial was placed in Boston Common by the North Sea Mine Force Association.


A bronze plaque mounted to a Mark VI mine is inscribed:

A TYPE OF THE 56,571 MINES LAID AND 
SWEPT IN THE MINE BARRIER PLACED IN 
THE NORTH SEA BY THE UNITED STATES NAVY 
DURING THE WORLD WAR 1917-1919. 
THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ITS NATURE 
RECORDED IN ALL NAVAL HISTORY AND 
PLACED HERE AS A TRIBUTE TO THOSE 
WHO SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES AND TO THE 
SURVIVORS OF THIS FEAT. 

PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF BOSTON THROUGH 
THE NORTH SEA MINE FORCE ASSOCIATION 
OCTOBER 26, 1921"

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Relief Sculpture: Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw - Boston, MA

Interesting Places I've Photographed
Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw & the 54th Massachusetts Regiment
Boston, MA
Topic: Relief Sculpture

Direct View
View the High Relief
GPS: N42° 21.450; W071° 03.810
Short Description:

Memorial to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment is located on Beacon Street, opposite the State house in Boston, MA

Long Description

Condensed From the Smithsonian Institute Art Inventory Website:

Artist:  Saint-Gaudens, Augustus, 1848-1907, sculptor.
McKim, Charles Follen, 1847-1909, architect.
Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder.

Title:  Memorial to Robert Gould Shaw, (sculpture).

Other Titles:  Shaw Memorial, (sculpture).
Memorial to Colonel Robert Gould Shaw & the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, (sculpture).

Dates:  Commissioned 1884. 1884-1897. Dedicated May 31, 1897.

Medium:  Relief: bronze; Frame and base: Tennessee marble and granite.

Dimensions:  Overall: approx. H. 11 ft. x W. 14 ft. (13.35 m. x 4.27 m).

Inscription:

(On face of relief:) OMNIA RELINQVIT/SEVARE REMPVBLICAM
(On pedestal under the relief, lines from James Russell Lowell's poem "Memoriae Positum":) Right in the van of the red rampart's slippery swell with heart that beat a charge he fell forward as fits a man: but the high soul burns on to light men's feet where death for noble ends makes dying sweet.

Description:

A high relief depicting Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and 16 members the 54th Massachusetts Regiment (one of the first African-American units to serve in the Civil War). They are preceded by a drummer boy. Colonel Shaw sits atop a horse, flanked by ranks of marching soldiers holding rifles over their shoulders. Colonel Shaw is dressed in campaign uniform and holds a sword in his proper right hand. An allegorical female figure hovers above them, holding a laurel or olive branch, and poppies (symbolic of death, sleep, remembrance and victory). An arched ceiling above the figures, decorated with coffers that each hold a star, is part of an elaborate stone frame enclosing the front and back of the bronze sculpture.

Remarks:

In 1865, Joshua B. Smith, an African-American businessman, led the drive to erect a monument in Boston. A committee of 21 was formed, but the project was delayed until the early 1880s. By the end of 1883, Saint-Gaudens had produced several clay models, and on Feb. 23, 1884, a contract was signed to produce a bronze relief. The monument was cast by Gorham Manufacturing Company and the architectural setting was designed by Charles F. McKim. The memorial was dedicated May 31, 1897, with addresses by Governor Wolcott of Massachusetts, Professor William James of Harvard, and African-American leader Booker T. Washington.

The memorial cost approximately $22,000; the terrace setting an additional $20,000. The sculpture was funded by private contributions; the terrace and landscaping financed by the State of Massachusetts. The sculpture is located across from the main entrance to the State House, past which the 54th regiment marched on May 28, 1863 as it embarked for South Carolina. It was at this spot, that Colonel Shaw reportedly paused to raise his sword to John Albion Andrew, governor of Massachusetts, who saluted him from the State House steps.

In 1981-1984, a major restoration of the monument was undertaken through subscription of funds by the Committee to Save the Shaw Memorial. IAS files contain additional bibliographic citations and text of nearby plaques which give history of the monument and brief biography of Saint-Gaudens.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Historic Person: Edward A. Filene Plaque - Boston, MA

Edward A. Filene 
Boston Common
Boston, MA

GPS: N42° 21.164; W71° 4.021


Short Description:

A plaque honoring Edward A. Filene is located on Tremont Street near the corner of Charles Street on the Boston Common.

Long Description:

George Aarons created this bronze sculpture of Edward A. Filene that was erected on the Boston Common in May 1959.  Edward Filene was the founder of William Filene's Sons Company and the credit union movement in the United States. The plaque was dedicated by the International Credit Union Association to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first credit union law in 1909.


The plaque is inscribed:

AUTHOR, SCHOLAR, OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF BOSTON
AND PUBLIC BENEFACTOR
ACKNOWLEDGED AS THE FOUNDER OF THE/CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES
THIS TABLET ERECTED BY/THE CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MAY 1959 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

First: Mass by Pope John Paul II in the US - Boston, MA

First Papal Mass Tablet
Boston Common
Boston, MA
 
Tablet
GPS: N42° 21.278; W71° 4.087

Short Description:

The first Papal Mass Tablet is located on the west end of Boston Common near Charles Street.

Long Description:

The Order of the Alhambra commissioned this 53.5" by 32" by 8.25" gray granite tablet to commemorate the visit of Pope John Paul II to Boston and the celebration of a Papal Mass on the Boston Common. This was the first visit of a pope to Boston.  The tablet was sculpted by Frank Chalfant Gaylord , II and fabricated by the F. P. Davis Monumental Works. It was dedicated on June 28, 1981.

Setting

The tablet contains a waist length portrait of the Pope and the following inscription:


POPE JOHN PAUL II

IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE FIRST MASS OFFERED IN THE
UNITED STATES BY HIS HOLINESS ON HIS
FIRST PASTORAL VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY
1 OCTOBER 1979
HERE ON BOSTON COMMON
DURING THE 350TH YEAR
OF THE FOUNDING OF BOSTON

"MAY GOD'S PEACE DESCENT ON THIS CITY
OF BOSTON, AND BRING JOY TO EVERY
CONSCIENCE AND JOY TO EVERY HEART."
POPE JOHN PAUL II

GIFT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF THE ALHAMBRA 

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Fountain: Brewer Fountain - Boston, MA

Brewer Fountain
Boston Common
Boston, MA


GPS: N42°  21.367;W71° 3.777

Short Description:

The Brewer Fountain is located in the southeast part of the Boston Common near Tremont Street.

Long Description:

The 25' diameter Brewer Fountain was created by Paul Lienard and cast by Val D'Osne in 1867.  Located at Brewer Residence at 29 Beacon Street until 1870's, it was a gift of Gardner Brewer to the City of Boston.  The bronze sculpture in the center contains the mythological figures:  Galatea, Acis, Poseidon (Neptune), and Amphitrice

Friday, July 11, 2014

Revolutionary War: Marquis de Lafayette - Boston, MA

Marquis de Lafayette
Boston Common
Boston, MA


GPS: N42° 21.352;  W71° 3.776 

Short Description:  

A monument commemorating the return of Marquis de Lafayette to Boston is located on the Boston Common near the Park Street T station on Tremont Street.

Long Description:

A  2.5' by 4.5' bronze  plaque is embedded in a 6' by 4.25 by 1.25' granite base honors Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. The plaque contains the image of Lafayette sculpted by John Francis Paramino and cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company. The monument was installed on the Boston Common on  August 24, 1924 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the return the Marquis de Lafayette to Boston in 1824.

The text below the portrait of Lafayette reads:

THE LAFAYETTE MALL

THIS MALL NAMED IN HONOR OF MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE
DISTINGUISHED FRENCH SOLDIER
MAJOR-GENERAL IN THE WAR OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
AN ILLUSTRIOUS PATRIOT OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
WHO NOBLY SERVED THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY ON TWO CONTINENTS
INVITED BY ACT OF CONGRESS TO REVISIT THE UNITED STATES
AS A GUEST OF THE NATION IN 1824
HE WAS WELCOMED WITH SIGNAL HONOR
AS HE PASSED ALONG THIS MALL
HE LAID THE CORNERSTONE OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT
JUNE 17, 1825
HEAVEN SAW FIT TO ORDAIN THAT THE ELECTRIC
SPARK OF LIBERTY SHOULD BE CONDUCTED THROUGH
YOU FROM THE NEW WORLD TO THE OLD

ERECTED BY THE CITY OF BOSTON 1924 


Thursday, July 10, 2014

Community Commemoration: Founders Memorial - Boston, MA

Founders Memorial
Boston Common
Boston, MA

N 42° 21.391 W 071° 04.056

Short Description: 

The Founders Memorial is located on a north entrance to the Boston Common along Beacon Street.

Long Description: 


A 15' by 45' by 20' monument with a 5.5' by 11' bronze relief sculpture commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of Boston in 1630. The sculpture was created by  John Francis Paramino and cast by Gorham Manufacturing Company. It was installed on the Boston Common in 1930.


The sculpture shows William Blackstone (or Blaxton) greeting John Winthrop and his company. Depicted are John Wilson, clergyman; Ann Pollard, first white woman to arrive in Boston, and an allegorical female figure representing Boston. At the left are two Native Americans. In the background men are pulling boats onto the shore.

The front of the monument contains the inscription:

BOSTON FOUNDED A.D. 1630

On the back of the monument is a quote from John Winthrop given before the group disembarked from the ship Arabella.


FOR WEE MUST CONSIDER THAT WEE SHALL BE AS A CITTY ON A HILL THE LIES OF ALL PEOPLE ARE UPPON US SO THAT IF WEE SHALL DEALE FALSELY WITH OUR GOD IN THIS WORKE WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN...WEE SHALL BE MADE A STORY 
AND A BY-WORD THROUGH THE WORLD - JOHN WINTHROP ON BOARD THE ARBELLA 1630

THUS OUT OF SMALL BEGINNINGS GREATER THINGS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY HIS HAND THAT MADE ALL THINGS OUT OF NOTHING...AND AS ONE SMALL CANDLE MAY LIGHT A THOUSAND SO THE LIGHT HERE KINDLED HATH SHONE TO MANY YEA IN SOME SORTE TO OUR WHOLE NATION - WILLIAM BRADFORD AT CHARLES-TOWNE 1630

IN GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR THE BLESSINGS ENJOYED UNDER A FREE GOVERNMENT THE CITY OF BOSTON HAS ERECTED THIS MEMORIAL ON THE THREE HUNDRED ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING -- SEPTEMBER 17TH 1630 - 1930

JAMES MICHAEL CURLEY MAYOR
CHARLES ALLERTON COOLIDGE ARCHITECT -  JOHN FRANCIS PARARMINO SCULPTOR