Musician: Bowen L. Church - Providence, RI

Bowen L. Church

Providence, RI

N 41° 47.099 W 071° 24.946

Quick Description: 

The unlabeled statue located in  Roger Williams Park, of the man, standing on a low platform, wearing the band uniform, and playing a coronet is Bowen L. Church.

Long Description:

The bronze statue of Bowen L. Church, also known as the Bandmaster, is located near the north end of Roosevelt Pond in Roger Williams Park in Providence. A 7.5' by 33" by 30" bronze statue of the bandleader is standing on 2.5' diameter circular base which rests on a wedge shaped, taupe and white tiled, platform supported by a low rock wall. The sculpture was created by Aristide Berto Cianfarani and cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company foundry. The sculpture was funded by William G. James, a friend of Bowen Church, and dedicated in Roger Williams Park on August 26, 1928.

Bowen L. Church is wearing a band uniform consisting of an ornate jacket and trousers. The jacket decorated vertically across the chest and with trim around the lower edges. The trousers have a broad strip running down the outside of the leg. The musician is standing upright, with his left foot in front of his right, while playing a coronet with his right hand on the keys.

Bowen L. Church was born in East Greenwich, RI on September 3, 1860. He began to study coronet under D. W. Reeves, director of the American Band of Providence, when he was nine years old. He gave his first recital when he was eleven and when he was eighteen, he became a featured soloist with the band.

In 1892, Bowen assumed leadership of the American Band of Providence during Reeves’ absence. In 1912, Bowen moved to Jersey City to direct the orchestra of the Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. He was considered one of the best cornetists in the 19th century. He died in Jersey City, NJ on March 13, 1923.

Statue of Historic Figure: Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski - Providence, RI

Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski

Providence, RI

N 41° 47.138 W 071° 24.923

Short Description: 

The equestrian statue of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski is located in Roger Williams Park in Providence, RI

Long Description: 

An heroic 14' by 5.5' by 13' bronze equestrian statue of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski stands on an 8' by 9' by 15' granite base. The monument occupies a prominent and busy intersection at Roger Williams Park. The statue was created by Guido Nincheri, sculptor and cast at the Fondaria Artistica Veronese Foundry.

General Pulaski is riding a charging horse. He holds the reins in his left hand and hold a curved sword up at a 45 degree angle with his right hand. He is wearing a military uniform with epaulets and riding boots but is not wearing a hat. The horse is in a galloping on an incline with its head down, tail slightly up, and left front foot off the ground.

On the front of the base is the single word:

PULASKI

A plaque on the left side of the base, which was added later, is inscribed:

BRIGADIER GENERAL CASIMIR PULASKI

SOLDIER OF LIBERTY

AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO

1747-1779

THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY THE BRIDIGIER GENERAL CASMIR PULASKI BI-

CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL COMMITTEE OF RHODE ISLAND IN MEMORY OF CASMIR 

PULASKI. A REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO OF TWO CONTINENTS.

HE DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF IN THE BATTLES OF:

BRANDYWINE; GERMANTOWN; VALLEY FORGE;

EGG HARBOR; WARREN TAVERN; WHITEMARSH

HADDONFIELD; CHARLESTOWN; AND SAVANNAH

BRIDIGIER GENERAL UNITED STATES

FATHER OF THE AMERICAN CALVARY

MARSHAL GENERAL OF POLAND

WHILE LEADING HIS FAMOUS "PULASKI" LEGION ON A CHARGE THROUGH THE

BRITISH LINES IN THE BATTLE OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, HE WAS MORTALLY

WOUNDED ON THE 9TH DAY OF OCTOBER 1779 AND DIED TWO DAYS LA-

TER AT THE AGE OF THIRTY-TWO.

CASMIR PULASKI DIED AS HE LIVED, A MARTYR TO THE CAUSE OF

AMERICAN FREEDOM, AND HE HAS BECOME A SYMBOL OF UNDAUNTED

COURAGE AND SPIRIT TO LOVERS OF FREEDOM EVERYWHERE. 

Casimir Pulaski was born into a noble family on March 6, 1745 in Warsaw, Poland. After opposing the Russians in Europe he came to the American Colonies to join the Continental Army under the command of George Washington. As a Brigadier General, he organized a corps of lancers and light infantry that became known as the Pulaski Cavalry Legion, hence he is called the father of the American cavalry. He died of woulds sustained during the siege of Savannah on October 11, 1779. He is one of only seven persons to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.

Statue of Historic Figure: Roger Williams - Providence, RI

Roger Williams 

Providence, RI

N 41° 47.111 W 071° 24.998

Quick Description: 

A statue of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, is located in Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

Long Description:

A monument to the founder of the state of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations is located in Roger Williams Park. A 7.5' high bronze statue of Roger Williams, created by Franklin Simmons and cast at Royal Foundry, stands on a 16' high base. Roger Williams is wearing colonial clothing and has shoulder length hair. In his left hand he is holding a book. Inscribed on the book are the words "Soul  Liberty". His right hand is extended outward.

At the front of the base is the female figure of Clio, the muse of History. Clio is wearing a draped robe and sandals. Her right arm is extended, and appears to be in the act of completing the inscription: Roger Williams 1636

Roger Williams was born in London, England, probably in 1603. Originally a member of the Church of England, he became a Puritan and thereby gave up any chance for a position in the Anglican Church. He graduated from Cambridge University, married Mary Barnard in 1629, and, together, they emigrated to Boston in 1631.

He soon found himself in disagreement with the prevailing Puritan philosophy regarding religious freedom and the relationship between church and state. He believed that the Church of England was corrupt beyond redemption, espoused freedom of choice in the practice of religion, and espoused complete separation of church and state. In 1635 he was ordered to appear before the General Court of Massachusetts to explain his erroneous and dangerous opinions. As a result, the Court declared that he should be removed from his church position. Later that same year he was tried and convicted of sedition and heresy.

In 1636, Roger Williams and a number of his followers attempted to leave Massachusetts by settling near Plymouth; but they were told that they were still in Massachusetts and that they must move west beyond the Seekonk River, which was beyond the Massachusetts Bay charter. They went to Narragansett territory where they purchased land from the native Narragansetts. Roger Williams named the settlement "Providence" because he felt that God's Providence had brought him there. He declared it to be a haven for those distressed of conscience and soon many other like-minded dissenters took up settlement.

In 1647, the four towns around Narragansett Bay - Newport and Portsmouth located on the island of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations of Providence and Warwick on the mainland, united to form a single government under the principle of liberty of conscience. The colony became a safe haven for people persecuted for their beliefs including: Baptists, Quakers, and Jews. In 1654, Roger Williams was elected the President of the colony.

Roger Williams died on April 1, 1683. What was believed to be his remains were located in 1860 and placed in a mausoleum in the North Burial Ground. Before the 300th anniversary of the founding of Providence in 1936, the remains were retrieved from the mausoleum and placed in an urn kept by the Rhode Island Historical Society. They were placed in a monument erected in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration at Prospect Terrace Park in Providence.

This statue is the subject of the United States stamp issued in 1936 to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations.

Statue of Historic Figure: George M. Cohan - Providence, RI

George M. Cohan

Providence, RI

N 41° 49.220 W 071° 23.620

Short Description: 

A statue of native son, lyricist, composer, producer, and actor, George M. Cohan is located on the corner of Wickenden and Governor Streets in the Fox Point neighborhood near where he was born in Providence, RI.

Long Description:

A life size bronze statue of depicts George M. Cohan from the waist up. Mr. Cohan is wearing a jacket with a flower in its left lapel, a vest, a high collar shirt, and a bow tie. His head tilted towards his left shoulder as he is holding his hat in his right hand above his right shoulder. His left arm is extended forward with his hand open, palm up. The statue rests on a 4' high square granite base. The statue was created by Robert Shure at the Skylight Studios and dedicated on July 3, 2009.

The bronze plinth of the sculpture is inscribed GEORGE M. COHAN. A bronze plaque on the front of the base is inscribed:

Son of Providence

Born July 3, 1878 on Wickenden Street

Father of the American Musical Comedy

Engraved on the base is fox point, WICKENDEN ST. GOVERNOR ST.

George Michael Cohan, the grandson of Irish immigrants, was born in Providence, RI into a vaudeville family on July 3, 1878. Together with his sister, Josephine, and parents, Jeremiah and Helen Costigan Cohan, they performed under the name the Four Cohans. In 1904, he began his career as a lyricist, composer, producer, and actor in Broadway musicals. He wrote and published numerous songs during his career and is considered the father of the American musical comedy. George M. Cohan died in New York City on November 5, 1942. He was inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

Song list from the Songwriters Hall of Fame website:

BIG PARADE, THE 
BILLIE 
BLUE SKIES, GRAY SKIES 
BORN AND BRED IN BROOKLYN 
CHARMING 
COHAN’S SONGS OF YESTERYEAR 
DANCING MY WORRIES AWAY 
DARN GOOD CRY 
EASTER SUNDAY PARADE 
EPILOGUE 
FATHER OF THE LAND WE LOVE 
FOR THE FLAG, FOR THE HOME 
FORTY FIVE MINUTES FROM BROADWAY 
GEORGE WASHINGTON, JR. 
GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADWAY 
GOD IS GOOD TO THE IRISH 
GOODBYE BARGRAVIA 
GREAT NEW YORK POLICE 
HARRIGAN 
HERE COME THE SOLDIERS 
HINKY DEE, THE 
I GUESS I’LL HAVE TO TELEGRAPH MY BABY 
I LOVE YOU 
I WAS BORN IN VIRGINIA 
I’D RATHER WRITE A SONG 
I’M A ONE GIRL MAN My Town 
IN A KINGDOM OF OUR OWN 
INDIANS AND TREES 
JOHNNY Q. PUBLIC 
LIFE’S A FUNNY PROPOSITION AFTER ALL 
LITTLE NELLIE KELLY 
LOVE DREAMS 
MARCH OF THE CARDINALS 
MARY’S A GRAND OLD NAME 
MOLLY MALONE 
MUSICAL COMEDY MAN 
MY LITTLE GIRL 
NAME OF KELLY, THE 
NELLIE KELLY 
OVER THERE 
REVOLUTIONARY RAG 
RING TO THE NAME OF ROSE, A 
ROSE 
SHOES THAT HURT 
SO LONG, MARY 
THIS IS OUR SIDE OF THE OCEAN 
THOMAS EDISON, MIRACLE MAN 
THOSE LOVELY LOVE SONGS 
TO HEAVEN ON THE BRONX EXPRESSWAY 
TWENTIETH CENTURY LOVE 
TWO OF US, THE 
UNTIL MY LUCK COMES ROLLING 
VENUS, MY SHINING LOVE 
VOICE IN MY HEART 
WHAT A MAN 
WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS 
WHEN JUNE COMES ALONG WITH A SONG 
WHEN NEW YORK WAS NEW YORK 
WHEN YOU COME BACK, IF YOU EVER DO 
WHERE WERE YOU, WHERE WAS I? 
YANKEE DOODLE BOY, THE 
YOU CAN’T DENY YOU’RE IRISH 
YOU REMIND ME OF MY MOTHER 
YOU WON’T DO ANY GOOD 
YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FLAG 

Fictional Character: The Cat in the Hat - Springfield, MA

The Cat in the Hat

Springfield, MA

N 42° 06.248 W 072° 35.176

Short Description: 

A statue of the Cat in the Hat is located outside the soon to be opened The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss museum at the Quadrangle Museum Complex at 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA

Long Description:

The Springfield Museums at will open a new museum called The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss in 2017. In preparation for the opening a 7' high fiberglass statue of the popular The Cat In The Hat has been erected outside the entrance to the museum building to greet visitors. The Cat In The Hat is standing upright with his harm outstretched and his long tail curled behind him. He is wearing is usual outfit of a red and white-striped hat and a large red bow tie.

The statue is placed underneath a large Seussian style blue arch that is inscribed at the top in red letters the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss. The statue and the arch are a gift from Big Y Supermarkets.

The mischievous Cat In The Hat is one of Theodor Geisel's most beloved characters. Writing under the name Dr. Seuss, the Cat In The Hat made its first appearance in the eponymous book published on March 12, 1957. This book was soon followed by The Cat In The Hat Comes Back which was published on January 1, 1985. A TV special was created featuring the Cat In The Hat that was broadcast by CBS on March 10, 1971. Most recently a feature film was released in 2003.

Roadside Attraction: The Partisans - Boston, MA

The Partisans

Boston, MA

N 42° 20.898 W 071° 02.560

Short Description: 

The Partisans sculpture is located at the elevated level of the Silver Line MBTA station next to the World Trade Center in South Boston.

Long Description:

The Partisans is a 23.3' by 13.3' by 32.5' aluminum sculpture depicting five soldiers on horseback, each carrying spears on their back. The sculpture is dedicated to Polish underground fighters who fought the against both the German and Soviet Union forces during World War II and the subsequent Communist government of Poland. It was originally placed on the Boston Common in 1983 and in 2006 moved to its current location, because of structural concerns.

According to the creator Andrzej Pitynski they represent:

"Five armed riders in a marching formation; five desperate men who resemble forest ghosts more than they resemble human beings ... five partisans who are tattered, mortally tired, who are bleeding from endless battles, escapes, skirmishes ... immersed with their own thoughts about the tragedy of their nation, who are riding their horses, stumbling from exhaustion."

A plaque in front of the sculpture is inscribed:

THE PARTISANS

by Andrzej Pitynski

1979 

THE SCULPTURE DEPICTS

POLISH UNDERGROUND FIGHTERS

WHO BATTLED THE GERMAN AND SOVIET

FORCES DURING WORLD WAR II

AND LATER THE COMMUNIST

REGIME OF POLAND

___________________________

SINCE AUGUST 2006 ON LOAN FROM THE SCULPTURE FOUNDATION TO

MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Daniel A. Grabauskas, General Manager

Figurative Sculpture: Hermit Crab - Boston, MA

Hermit Crab

Boston, MA

N 42° 20.941 W 071° 02.403

Quick Description: 

The sculpture called Hermit Crab is located along the Boston waterfront at Eastport Park off Seaport Boulevard in Boston, MA

Long Description:

A 6' high by 7' long bronze sculpture depicts a hermit crab making a home inside a conch shell. The sculpture is set on a five sided stone base set at ground level. You must look under the shell and near the ground to see the hermit crab. The side of the shell is inscribed:

DAVID PHILLIPS

HERMIT CRAB 2000