Pennsylvania State Monument – This Deathless Field

Memorial begun summer 1909. Memorial formally dedicated Sept. 27, 1910.

Location: Hancock, Pleasanton & Humphrey Avenues.

Description: The memorial is topped by a dome adorned with a bronze female figure representing the Goddess of Victory and Peace. Above each archway are granite monoliths containing battle scenes honoring the four branches of the service. And in the spandrels flanking each archway are classical maidens, each holding either a trumpet or a wreath of victory. In 1907, $150,000 was appropriated to erect a suitable memorial to honor all Pennsylvanians who participated in the battle at Gettysburg. The design submitted by architect W. Liance Cottrell was selected and the Harrison Granite Company was chosen to execute the design. Construction on the memorial began in the summer of 1909. However, at the time of the dedication on Sept. 27, 1910, the eight portrait statues Cottrell envisioned for the niches on either side of each archway were missing due to the lack of funds. In the year following the dedication, an additional $40,000 as appropriated to create the statues, and the Van Amringe Granite Company as given the contract. The statues were cast at the Gorham Manufacturing Company and were installed in April of 1913. The total cost for the memorial was $200,000. There is also a monument to the Goddess of Victory placed at the top of the monument. Murray, Samuel, 1870-1941, sculptor. The figure representing the Goddess of Victory and Peace weighs 7,500 lbs. and was cast with bronze melted down from cannons used in the war. Samuel Murray created not only the Goddess of Victory and Peace, but also the monolith and spandrel reliefs. The monument sits on top of the dome of the Memorial.

National Park Service List of Classified Monuments Number: MN260.

Sculptor: W. Liance Cottrell, architect; Samuel Murray, sculptor