Nittany Lion Shrine
N 40° 47.800 W 077° 52.145
18T E 257951 N 4520147
The lion shrine was a gift from the Class of 1940. There are many legends surrounding the mascot.
Waymark Code: WM14RX4
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/18/2021
Views: 6
The sculpture depicts a mountain lion, the Pennsylvania State University mascot, crouched low to the ground as if stalking something. The lion is positioned on top of a slight incline with its right front paw hanging over the edge of the base. Its tail curls around its back right leg.
The lion shrine is patient while students and visitors stand near him and climb on him for fun and to take photos.
In 1966, the wife of the new head football coach thought of an activity to build some team spirit. She covered the lion with water based orange paint, hinting that the visiting team fans had done this. The Nittany Lion fans responded with Penn State school spirit. A tradition of guarding the lion the night before a game against Syracuse also began.
In the fall of 1978, an ear of the lion was broken off from the statue. Heinz Warneke returned to University Park to repair the ear.
TITLE: Nittany lion (sculpture)
ARTIST(S): Heinz Warneke
DATE: 1942
MEDIUM: Sculpture: limestone; Base: concrete and limestone.
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 76008222
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
The lion is off of Curtin Road, near the intersection with Burrows Road.
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
The statue is as described. However the lion's right ear was broken and repaired, so the repair line is now visible.
The landscaping around the area has changed over the years.
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.