Benjamin Franklin (Washington Square)

Benjamin Franklin

The statue in 2007
Artist Unknown
Type Sculpture
Material Sculpture: Bronze
Base: Granite
Subject Benjamin Franklin
Location San Francisco, California, United States
Coordinates 37°48′03″N 122°24′36″W / 37.80082°N 122.41000°W / 37.80082; -122.41000Coordinates: 37°48′03″N 122°24′36″W / 37.80082°N 122.41000°W / 37.80082; -122.41000

Benjamin Franklin – also known as the Benjamin Franklin Memorial, Benjamin Franklin Statue and Cogswell Historical Monument[1] – is an outdoor sculpture in Washington Square, San Francisco, California.[2]

Description

The smaller-than-life-size bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin, by an unknown sculptor, stands upon an ornate granite base, that contains a time capsule. There are inscriptions on all four sides of the base. Spigots once dispensed drinking water into three stone basins. The spigots have been removed.

History

Created as a Temperance fountain by crusader Henry D. Cogswell, the monument was originally installed at Kearny and Market Streets in 1879. In 1904, it was relocated to Washington Square.

In 1979, 100 years after its creation, a time capsule hidden in the statue's base was removed and opened. A new time capsule, to be opened in 2079, was installed.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Benjamin Franklin, (sculpture).". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved February 23, 2016. Note: Control Number: IAS CA000016.
  2. ↑ "Benjamin Franklin, (sculpture).". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved February 23, 2016. Note: Control Number: IAS CA000029.
  3. ↑ Time capsules in San Francisco, from Using San Francisco History.

External links

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