Museum Collections
Luce Center
Commemorative medal for 150th anniversary of Central Park
Object Number:
2004.11a
Date:
2003
Medium:
Bronze
Dimensions:
Overall: 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. ( 0.6 x 8.9 cm )
Marks:
inscription: On obverse: "THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANY AND THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CITY CELEBRATE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF/Central Park/2003."
inscription: On reverse: "THE CENTRAL PARK BILL-JUNE 21, 1853-PROPOSED BY/SENATOR/EDWIN D. MORGAN"
mark: O
Description:
Circular gold-colored medallion depicting portrait of Senator Edwin D. Morgan on obverse and Belvedere Castle, Central Park on reverse; inscribed on obverse: "THE CENTRAL PARK BILL-JUNE 21, 1853-PROPOSED BY/SENATOR/EDWIN D. MORGAN"; reverse: "THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY AND THE PEOPLE OF NEW YORK CITY CELEBRATE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS OF/Central Park/2003."
Gallery Label:
This medallion commemorating the 150th anniversary of Central Park was designed by New York portrait artist Friedrike Merck. Merck chose Edwin Dennison Morgan (1811-1883), her great-great-great-grandfather, as the focus of her design. A champion of the idea of a centrally-located park and sponsor of the legislation which authorized Central Park in 1853, Morgan was a New York State Senator, abolitionist, Governor of New York during the Civil War, U.S. Senator, and philanthropist.
Credit Line:
Gift of Friedrike Merck, portrait artist
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.