Stone Age in America, Bronze sculpture on Kelly Drive near Boathouse Row, Philadelphia, United States.
Stone Age in America is a bronze sculpture on Kelly Drive near Boathouse Row that depicts a Native American woman protecting her children from a bear. The work rests on a granite base and is located south of the Ellen Phillips Samuel Memorial.
The sculpture was created in 1887 by John J. Boyle and was part of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago before being permanently placed in Philadelphia. Its creation occurred during a period of major change for Native Americans in the United States.
The artwork shows the role of mothers in Native American communities as protectors and providers for their families. The depiction conveys values that remain central to many indigenous cultures today.
The sculpture sits along Boathouse Row and is easily accessible from the pathway side. The location is in a public park with walkways and trees, making it part of a pleasant route through the area.
The sculpture is part of the Museum Without Walls audio program, which offers recorded commentary from artists, educators, and historians to explain public artworks. Visitors can listen to these interpretations to better understand the history and meaning behind the piece.
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