At A Glance

• Kelly was a three-time Olympic champion in Men’s Rowing and a native Philadelphian

• He was father to actress Princess Grace Kelly, and John B. Kelly, Jr., also an accomplished oarsman

Great champion oarsman John B. Kelly, Sr. (1889-1960) appears in a single scull in this bronze monument erected by the Friends of Jack Kelly. A native Philadelphian, Kelly was a three-time Olympic champion in Men’s Rowing, winning the Gold Medal in singles and doubles in 1920 and the doubles in 1924. He was father to actress Princess Grace Kelly, and John B. Kelly, Jr., also an accomplished oarsman. The family was active in Philadelphia’s political, sporting, and civic life during the twentieth century.

Rosin studied and taught for three decades at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He created two sculptures for the Ellen Philips Samuel Memorial on Kelly Drive and Mr. Baseball in South Philadelphia.

Voices heard in the Museum Without Walls: AUDIO program: Linda Bantel is an art historian and former Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Museum. Clete Graham has served as Commodore of Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia. John B. Kelly III is a rower, a member of the Vesper Boat Club, and the grandson John B. Kelly. | Segment Producer: Sarah Lilley

Museum Without Walls: AUDIO is the Association for Public Art’s award-winning audio program for Philadelphia’s outdoor sculpture. Available for free by phone, mobile app, or online, the program features more than 150 voices from all walks of life – artists, educators, civic leaders, historians, and those with personal connections to the artworks.

This artwork is part of the Along Kelly Drive tour