The memorial will be constructed on the southeast corner of Sixth and Market streets in Independence Mall next to Liberty Bell Center on land owned by the National Park Service. It is the site of the house occupied by presidents George Washington and John Adams between 1790 and 1800.
The site also includes quarters for Washington's slaves, believed to number at least nine and include Oney Judge, Martha Washington's maid, and Hercules, Washington's cook, both of whom escaped. Within the next two weeks, prior to groundbreaking, an archeological dig will take place to determine whether or not there are any buried artifacts from that era.
In announcing the team, Mayor John Street said, "We are one step closer to fulfilling an obligation to tell the truth--the whole, complicated truth--about this small parcel of land on the doorstep of the Liberty Bell Center." Dennis Reidenbach, superintendent of INHP, hailed the collaboration among of city officials, the park service and numerous groups that have long-advocated for this addition to Independence Mall.
The Kelly/Maiello design, described as a "ghost of a building," consists of incomplete walls and architectural fragments placed around the original President's House footprint with the slave quarters outlined in glass. Exhibits will include images and scenes on LED screens accompanied by sound recordings of historical events.
The city has pledged $1.5 million for the project. Locally based Daniel J. Keating Co. is the contractor. The memorial is expected to open in 2008.
© Touchpoint Markets, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to asset-and-logo-licensing@alm.com. For more inforrmation visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
