Washington Grays Monument

Washington Grays Monument
ArtistJohn Wilson
Year1908
TypeBronze
Dimensions220 cm × 76 cm × 76 cm (87 in × 30 in × 30 in)
LocationUnion League of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Coordinates39°57′00″N 75°09′51″W / 39.9501°N 75.1643°W / 39.9501; -75.1643
OwnerCity of Philadelphia
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation

Washington Grays Monument, also known as the Pennsylvania Volunteer, is a bronze statue by John A. Wilson.[1] The monument represents the Washington Grays who served in the 17th, 21st and 49th Pennsylvania Militia during the American Civil War.[2] In 1925, almost 20 years after the sculpture was made, renowned sculptor and art historian Lorado Taft wrote, "No American sculpture has surpassed the compelling power which John A. Wilson put into his steady, motionless 'Pennsylvania Volunteer'."[3] Joseph Wilson built the base of the monument which was unveiled on April 19, 1872. Over 35 years later John Wilson sculpted the bronze statue, which was dedicated on April 18, 1908 at Washington Square, and rededicated June 14, 1991 at its present location in front of the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 South Broad Street, in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4][5] The sculpture is positioned adjacent to the sculpture 1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia.

  1. ^ Note the Smithsonian identifies that the base of the monument was created by Joseph Wilson (1872). The Smithsonian neglects to identify that the bronze figure which was created in 1908, was made by John A. Wilson. See "Washington Grays Monument, (sculpture)". Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
  2. ^ Of "Register of the members of the "Artillery corps, Washington grays" of the city of Philadelphia who served in the war of the rebellion 1861–1865"
  3. ^ Lorado Taft. The History of American Sculpture. 1925. p. 570 (first published 1903)
  4. ^ "Philadelphia Public Art Landmark: Union League".
  5. ^ "Relocated Buildings, Etc., in Philadelphia | PDF | Sculpture".