View depicting the front of the memorial, sculpted by J. Otto Schweizer, erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1934 in memory of all African American military men who have served in wartime. The top of the monument is a sculpted eternal flame, the "Torch of Life," surrounded by four American eagles. Below the torch, a female allegorical figure of justice stands holding wreaths symbolic of honor and reward. She is flanked by five figures of African American military personnel from each branch of the armed service. A dedication is inscribed into the memorial's granite pedestal which is adorned with a wreath. Erected after much controversy on Lansdowne Avenue, the memorial was moved in 1994 to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opposite the Franklin Institute., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Photographer's imprint stamped on verso., Manuscript note on verso: Phila. West Fairmount Park. Memorial to colored soldiers erected by the Commonwealth of Penna., Inscribed in negative: 786A., Gift of Joseph Kelly, 1982., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Schweizer was a European-trained Philadelphia sculptor who specialized in monumental works including several commissions for sites in Pennsylvania., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator
Photo Illustrators (Firm)
Date
[ca. 1934]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators [P.8810.8]
