Statue of Benjamin Franklin (Portland, Oregon)

A statue of Benjamin Franklin stands outside Franklin High School, in Portland, Oregon's South Tabor neighborhood, in the United States. A work by the sculptor George Berry and his assistants, it was installed in 1942.

Statue of Benjamin Franklin
The statue in 2018
ArtistGeorge Berry
Year1942 (1942)
TypeSculpture
SubjectBenjamin Franklin
Dimensions4.6 m (15 ft)
LocationPortland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates45.50279°N 122.60689°W / 45.50279; -122.60689
OwnerFranklin High School

Description and history

The sculpture was one of two Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects benefitting Franklin between 1939 and 1942; the other was the construction of the school's athletic field. The statue was funded by Franklin alumni and students, who raised $15,000 to commission an artist from the Federal Art Project, one of WPA's five independent branches. George Berry and his team of assistants created a 40-ton sandstone statue of Franklin, which was erected at the school's north entrance, overlooking the athletic field, in 1942. Including its pedestal, the work measures 15-foot (4.6 m) tall. The pedestal includes built-in benches and the inscription, "One today is worth two tomorrows."[1]

In 2016, the statue was removed temporarily and replaced as part of a major renovation project.[2][3]

See also

References
  1. "Franklin High School Statue – "Benjamin Franklin" – Portland OR". Living New Deal. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  2. Andrews, Garrett (7 September 2016). "Portland school's statue on the move". Djcoregon.com. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  3. "Interim schools and construction up ahead for Portland students as bond work continues". Oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2 January 2018.

Further reading
  • "Work Begins on New Field". The Oregonian. August 15, 1939.
  • "Olden Dream Comes True: School Dedicates Franklin Statue". The Oregonian. May 9, 1942.


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