August 26, 2010
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A Most Unusal Tombstone
Laurel Hill Cemetery Series #2
William Warner
William Warner was the son of a very wealthy Coal Merchant in Philadelphia.
He died well before his time and his grieving parents bought a plot at
Laurel Hill, the best cemetery at that time
and commissioned Alexander Milne Calder, the best available sculptor of the day
to create a fitting memorial.
With a large budget and the perfect setting the results were glorious.
His grave, as all the others in the family plot, is so very unique.
An angel/woman releases the soul of the dearly departed.
This dramatic sculpture depicting the soul escaping from the coffin ,
it is often discussed as an prime example of American Victorian funerary
Here is an old photo from before she lost her arms
and before the fourth tomb(the one to her left) was placed in the plot
Another statue in the Warner Family plot is this one of Harriet
Alexander Milne Calder was the first of the famous Calder family of sculptors
When Alexander Milne Calder made the Warner monument he was nearly finished
with his massive sculptural program at City Hall.
When we went to Philly for my birthday I had no clue as we drove past City Hall
that the same man who designed and sculpted the marvelous statues on that building
had also sculpted one of the tombs I had just photographed at Laurel Hills also.
The central tower reaches a height of 511ft. It is topped by a statue of William Penn.
The massive statue of Penn is 37ft high and weighs 27 ton.
It is just one of 250 sculptures created by Alexander Calder
for both the interior and exterior of the city hall.
Prior to Penn's statue being taken up to the clock tower,
in the 1890s, the statue was exhibited in the courtyard,
where visitors could see it and have photographs taken of it.
Immediately beneath the Penn statue, are statues of Native Americans
and Swedish pioneers who had preceded
William Penn's English and Welsh settlers.
Here is a Native American Figure prior to installation, circa 1892
City Hall in Philadelphia, Pa. was the tallest building in the U.S. from 1901 to 1908.The "Gentlemen's Agreement" kept all of Philadelphia's buildings lower
than the top of the statue of Penn on top of City Hall.
However, in the 1980s the"Gentlemen's Agreement" was
broken with the construction of theLiberty Place Plaza by Chicago's Helmut Jahn.
Dressed for Stanley Cup finals
c. 1997
Philadelphia InquirerHERE are some fun facts about Philly and City hall
HERE are some images of the construction of City Hall
See more of his work HERE
There were three generations of sculptors all Alexanders.
it is very interesting history read more HERE
and from the 'American Masters Series' HERELaurel Hill Cemetery Series: I
Comments (61)
It's hard to imagine how they even sculpted something so large.. better yet, how did they get it to the top?? I tripped out when we went to hertz castle.. all the huge crazy things that were made and imported there.. amazing.
The creations here are wonderful! I love the photograph of the angel releasing the spirit of the deceased. Such a unique idea and designed with so much love. Funny, in a way, that I recognized the statue of William Penn. Funnier still that he would probably never allowed something like that done n his lifetime.
Awesome cemetery and cemetery photos! WOW
That first sculpture made me giggle. It looks like the angel is acting as a look out while the deceased "escapes" - kind of like a prison break!
@jacksoncroons - Thats kind of what I thought too!
I remember visiting Philadelphia and seeing the statue of Wm Penn - it looks so small from the ground. But wow So Big in reality. Do you live close to Philly? I have a sister and a sil in the Philadelphia area...
@murisopsis - I live an hour NW or Philly.
The sculptures are amazing; I would love to visit this cemetery someday. I just finished reading an article I thought you might find interesting. LINK
My nephew and his wife live near Pottstown. My niece goes to St. Joseph's College.
We have enjoyed trips to Philly also, as my wife used to live there in the late '70's.
That was very interesting, Beth. Thanks for sharing. t
@cyberbear - I go to Pottstown often,it is close by. People that live here either go to Pottstown or Reading for business, malls,shopping etc.
creepy but cool
The scope of Calder's talent and the amount of works produced in his lifetime is simply awe inspiring! And like Shann, I'm wondering how they got that huge statue to the top of that 511 foot tall tower in the late 18 hundreds? That would have taken a lot of horsepower! Great post, Beth!
Are there any members of the Calder family alive and still doing sculptor? I must find this out and plan for something fitting on my grave. Off to the think tank...
Wow... those are so beautiful
I've always wondered what a soul looks like. Now I know. With the missing nose, he looks like Voldemort.
Enjoyed this Beth.
Wonderful carvings! Exquisite!
OH my word~ those last two statues are massive. Makes me think of Gulliver's Travels~
Very cool! Thank you
Beautiful. Thinking of tombstones, late night talk show host Johnny Carson was once asked what he wanted written on his tombstone. After pondering a moment he answered, "I'll be right back." That cracked me up and it was as if he wanted to be always remembered as someone who made us laugh.
@jacksoncroons - i had the same thought!! haha
Wow. Very interesting post.
Very cool!
I like the idea of escaping souls mornin glorie...I have so enjoyed these tombstone posts of yours...If I get a tombstone I want mine to say " I told you I didn't feel good"
Wow, the work and detail he put into his sculptors was amazing, especially for the era. Thank you for sharing!
Those are very beautiful.
Fascinating post. I've missed your stunning photography and lovely thoughts.
this is a neat post, Beth. it's interesting to see the sculptures on display before going up on the building. we can see how huge they really are. I'm wondering how they mounted them securely on top of the building. ?
the sculptures in the cemetery are beautiful, too. thanks for sharing this with us.
These are amazing.
@ofunlo - All I can think of is that he had a hollow length inside where a steel beam was inserted that went into the tower, I could be so wrong!
Wow this is wonderful, again thank you for the back story! I so wish we still had pretty tombstones like they used to.
Once you commented that you like the stories I have been researching high and low for the info! It has been fun and interesting! So glad that you appreciate it.
The Warner's monument is not only beautiful but it expresses the hope . Save our soul .
Love
Michel
There are some great stones in Laurel Hill. On Dec 31st every year, there is a ceremony at the grave of George Gordon Meade.
I am always amazed by sculptors-how do they
do
that?
that angel is amazing. you find all the good stuff.
@seedsower - That isn't so far - next trip east to visit that side of the family we'll have to swing by to see you!!
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