Independence Flagpole Under Resotration
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole Under Resotration
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole Under Resotration
Independence Flagpole Under Resotration
Description
The NYC Parks Department website explains that: “Although this flagstaff commemorates the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is also known as the Charles F. Murphy Memorial Flagpole. The intricate bas-reliefs and plaques were completed in 1926 by sculptor Anthony De Francisci (1887–1964), and feature a procession of allegorical figures representing democracy and tyranny, the text of the Declaration of Independence, and emblems from the original 13 colonies. The enormous flagpole, said to be one of the largest in New York State, is capped with a gilded sunburst.”
In the 1930s, the sculpture was restored with federal funding under Karl Gruppe, “chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937.” The program was initially supported by federal funding from the Public Works of Art Project (Lowrey, 2008), and later by the WPA.
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Independence Flagpole, Union Square
Independence Flagpole, Union Square
Independence Flagpole, Union Square
Independence Flagpole, Union Square
Photo: Gigi alt Source © Creative Commons BY-SA 2012Independence Flagpole, Union Square
Independence Flagpole, Union Square
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Flagpole Base
Flagpole Base
Flagpole Base
Flagpole Base
Source © All Rights Reserved Flagpole Base
Flagpole Base
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Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
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Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole Under Restoration
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Independence Flagpole Reliefs Being Cleaned
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole Reliefs Being Cleaned
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole Reliefs Being Cleaned
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Independence Flagpole
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole
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Independence Flagpole Being Inspected by New Deal Worker
With support from the Federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) this film was taken in the 1930s by Karl Gruppe (1893-1982), chief sculptor of the Monument Restoration Project of the New York City Parks Department, from 1934 to 1937. Credit: Karl Gruppe/Elizabeth Stover Gruppe
Independence Flagpole Being Inspected by New Deal Worker
Photo: WPA Film Screenshot Source Public Domain 1934-1937Independence Flagpole Being Inspected by New Deal Worker
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal project site.
SUBMIT MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS SITE
This information has been very helpful. Thank you. Our guided walking tour, Five Squares and a Circle Tour [http://walkaboutny.com/the-tours/five-squares-and-a-circle-tour/] includes Union Square. The Independence Flagstaff is a highlight in Union Square Park.