“Cosmos” whispers the bronze scroll. This is the Alexander von Humboldt statue. Right here in Fairmount Park.
Before you stands a monument to a Prussian polymath. Alexander von Humboldt explored the Americas. He visited Philadelphia in 1804. This statue honors his legacy.
The German community commissioned it. They laid the cornerstone in 1869. This was the centennial of Humboldt’s birth. The sculptor Friedrich Drake a German artist created this bronze masterpiece. It was dedicated in 1871. Later in 1876 the statue became a gift to Philadelphia. It was a bicentennial gesture.
The statue depicts Humboldt in a long coat. His left hand rests on a globe. The scroll in his right hand proclaims “Cosmos”. It reflects his vast scientific interests. The granite pedestal anchors the figure. It stands tall and proud.
Originally at 33rd and Girard the statue found a new home in 1977. Its current location offers a quieter setting. You can still appreciate the detail. You can still appreciate the history it represents.
The Alexander von Humboldt statue is more than just bronze and granite. It is a testament to international collaboration. It embodies the spirit of scientific exploration. It connects Philadelphia’s past with a global scientific giant. Take a moment. Feel the weight of history. Feel the presence of a man who dared to explore the unknown. His spirit lives on in this statue in Fairmount Park.