Philadelphia Sailors Monument with Packard Classic
ByNice Packard! Nice Monument.
We have purchased a rare period photograph of a historic Packard automobile which includes some of MacNeil’s public work in Philadelphia. This monument was introduced earlier on this site. [CLICK HERE]. (The Packard was not.)
The exact Packard model pictured here will be identified later. It appears to be from the 1928-1933 era. (Probably a 1929 Model 640 Runabout – Sixth Series)[Actually a 1930 model – dnl].
In 1927 Hermon A. MacNeil sculpted the Philadelphia Soldiers and Sailors Monument that graces the Ben Franklin Parkway.
The Parkway way design was inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris, France with its Arc De Triomphe. It commemorated many centuries of French military victories.
Philadelphia chose two grand pylons 60 feet tall rather than an Arch. It was to be Philadelphia’s version of a “grand avenue of heroes” leading out to the Philadelphia Art Museum.
On these limestone pylons, Hermon A. MacNeil carved two Civil War monuments: one to the Soldiers and the second to the Sailor’s of the Civil War. After sixty (60) years, only a few of those who fought were still alive in 1927. This Monument was a tribute to their sacrifice and the “One Union” for which they fought.
Philadelphia’s pride in that history is attributed in the following video celebration.
The Soldiers side of the monument is pictured more often than this Sailor’s side view.
Webmaster, Dan Leininger is a Packard owner and fanatic who possesses a less rare Packard. An older restoration of a 1941 Packard Clipper, the first of the Clipper line.
“Clipper Jack!” Dan’s 1941 Packard Clipper as it appears 78 years after rolling out of the Detroit Packard Plant. Click HERE for my “Hillbilly Packard Brothers” project blog on Packard Info.com
