At A Glance
Matthias Baldwin designed the first U.S.-made steam locomotive
Baldwin founded a school for African American children and helped launch the Franklin Institute
This bronze was a gift of his former company through the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art)
Before his death in 1866, his company became one of the largest makers of locomotives in the world
During Philadelphia’s reign as a mighty manufacturing center, one of its industrial giants was the Baldwin Locomotive Works. A former jewelry maker, Matthias Baldwin designed the first U.S.-made steam locomotive in 1831. Before his death in 1866, his company became one of the largest makers of locomotives in the world.
A philanthropist and civic leader, Baldwin founded a school for African American children and helped launch The Franklin Institute.
This bronze was a gift of his former company through the Fairmount Park Art Association (now the Association for Public Art). Originally installed at Broad and Spring Garden Streets in 1906, it was brought to City Hall plaza in 1921 and placed on this site in 1936.
Voices heard in the Museum Without Walls: AUDIO program: George E. Thomas is an architectural and cultural historian. He is a professor of urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Joel Spivak is an architectural consultant and Philadelphia transit historian. He is the author of Philadelphia Railroads and co-author of Philadelphia Trolleys. | Segment Producer: Kimberly Haas
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.
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This artwork is part of the Around City Hall tour
