Lehman Gates - New York City, NY
Posted by: Metro2
N 40° 46.098 W 073° 58.335
18T E 586738 N 4513544
These gates form the entrance to the Children's Zoo in New York City's Central Park.
Waymark Code: WMCK57
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 09/15/2011
Views: 16
The Smithsonian Inventory (
visit link) describes these gates thusly:
"Horizontal sculptural group of children and animals playing and dancing runs the length of the gateway is an ornamental band of vegetation, populated by singing birds. At either end, on top of a tall granite base sits a boy playing the pipes of Pan. In the center on top of another tall granite base is a boy and two goats who dance to the music of the pipes. Metal gates fill the space between each of the granite bases."
The inscription reads:
" CHILDREN'S ZOO
FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
BY GOVERNOR AND MRS. HERBERT H. LEHMAN
1960"
The artist, Paul Manship (1885-1966) was an American sculptor who spent much of his career here in New York City, but also studied in Italy and India. His work is considered a pre-cursor to art deco. He served on the board of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and even chaired the board. Most people will recognize his well-known Prometheus statue at the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. Read more abut him at (
visit link)
For information about the Children's Zoo, see (
visit link)