Girard Fountain Park

Why keys? That’s the question that pops into many minds when they first encounter the curious sculpture at Girard Fountain Park. Girard Fountain Park, a small green oasis nestled amidst the historic buildings of Old City, Philadelphia. It’s a place where the echoes of history mingle with the gentle splash of the restored fountain. The park’s story begins in the mid-1960s. After a fire and subsequent demolition of several commercial buildings, the space at 325 Arch Street was cleared. It wasn’t until 1976, with a grant from a city fund established by the renowned banker Stephen Girard, that the area was transformed into the park we see today. Initially, the park featured a quirky sculpture of Benjamin Franklin. This wasn’t your typical bronze statue. “Penny Benny,” as it was affectionately known, was made of acrylic and covered with almost 80,000 pennies donated by local schoolchildren. It even had a button that played a recording of Franklin’s wisdom on fire prevention. Sadly, time and the elements weren’t kind to Penny Benny. By the late 1990s, the sculpture was deteriorating and posed a safety hazard. It was eventually removed and placed in city storage. The park itself also fell into disrepair during this period. The gates were often locked, and the fountain fell silent. Then, a community-led effort spearheaded by residents Janet Kalter and Joe Schiavo breathed new life into Girard Fountain Park. Their restoration efforts, along with support from the Philadelphia Fire Department, brought the park back into public use in the mid-2000s. The fountain was restored to its former glory, and a new sculpture of Benjamin Franklin was commissioned. This time, sculptor James Peniston created a bronze bust covered not with pennies, but with casts of 1,000 keys collected from local schoolchildren. This “Keys to Community” sculpture, unveiled in 2007, pays tribute not only to Franklin but also to Philadelphia firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It incorporates brass nameplates honoring fallen firefighters spanning four centuries. Girard Fountain Park stands as a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of Philadelphia. It’s a reminder that even small green spaces can hold big stories.