Monuments

Walking through the Harrisburg Arts District, you'll come across unique art installations, monuments, memorials, sculptures, and historical markers. Each carries a special piece of Harrisburg history. Monuments and markers can celebrate achievements, memorialize those we've lost, or honor the past in a variety of ways. 

Arts District Monuments Map

Arts District Monuments 1

State Museum of Pennsylvania (Outdoor Sculptures & Installations)

State Museum of PA | 300 North St.

The museum is full of Keystone State history, and its grounds have interesting pieces as well.

A striking piece outside of the State Museum is a Phara, by Steve Tobin (1994.) "Praha" was constructed of steel girders from Bethlehem Steel. Bethlehem Steel was one of the world's largest steel producing and shipbuilding companies before closing in 2003.

Tobin is an American sculptor best known for his large sculptures of “roots" in steel or cast bronze. Philadelphia Museum of Art Chairman Philip Berman invited Tobin to join a group of international metal and stone sculptors that he sponsored to work in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Berman bought Tobin two hundred thousand pounds of steel for what would become Praha, Tobin’s first metal piece. It was inspired by a visit to Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery and is featured in Art in America.

Arts District Monuments 2and 3

PA State Capitol Complex | Soldiers & Sailors Grove

2. PA Capitol Complex | 501 N 3rd St

The PA State Capitol carries the nickname of “A Palace of Art,” for its grand architecture and ornate décor inside its wall. Its grounds are dotted with grand monuments as well. From the Barnard Statuary Groups at the main entrance to monuments along the grounds’ picturesque pathways, there are pieces of history to learn about the Capitol itself and other interested notes on the Commonwealth.

3. Soldiers and Sailors Grove | Commonwealth Avenue and State Street

Behind the Capitol structure, Soldiers and Sailors Grove houses the state's Medal of Honor Memorial, listing the names of each recipient including those from the Civil War. A historical marker here also commemorates the United States Colored Troops Grand Review.

Arts District Monuments 4

Around Town

4. Susquehanna Dawn | 400 Market Street

5. Wherever You Go, There You Are | 222 Market Street

6. Menaker Plaza Sculpture | 10 N. Second Street

Arts District Monuments 7

Walnut Street Bridge

The Walnut Street Bridge | N Front St &, Walnut St 

Also known as “The People’s Bridge,” the span connecting Harrisburg’s Downtown to City Island was built for vehicular traffic in 1890. After the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood, the bridge was converted to pedestrian and bike traffic only. 

Arts District Monuments 8 - 11

Riverfront Park (Between Market & Walnut St.)

8. Egyptian Gate | 10 N. Front St 
The steel sculpture created by Ike Haye was dedicated in 1986.

9. Public Works of Harrisburg Monument
Erected in 1915 to celebrate the accomplishments of Harrisburg's first "City  beautiful Movement."

10. Market Street Bridge – Old State Capitol Columns | N. Front St & Market St.
The original bridge at this location (destroyed in a flood in 19012) was the first bridge built across the Susquehanna River. The replacement you see today was built in 1905 and widened in 1926. The tall columns at each side of the Harrisburg entrance to the bridge were salvaged from the old State Capitol that burned in 1897.

11. The Triumphant American

Arts District Monuments 12 - 15

Riverfont Park (Across from Simon Cameron Mansion)

Several memorials and markers are located across from the Simon Cameron Mansion on South Front Street in a sprawling grove area of Riverfront Park. 

12. John Harris Cemetery
Pioneer John Harris was Harrisburg's first settler in 1719, building a log cabin not far from this site. His son, John Harris II, was the founder of Harrisburg. 
13. Harris’ Ferry Monument
14. POW/MIA Memorial
15. Labor’s Grove Memorial