DESIGN
THE LOCATION
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, an iconic landmark dating back to the early 1900s, boasts one of the nation’s most prestigious art collections and consistently ranks among the top 10 U.S. museums and the top 50 worldwide. Drawing around 800,000 visitors annually, it has hosted numerous renowned exhibitions, including works by Armenian-American painter Arshile Gorky. Its grand steps gained fame in the movie Rocky.
Perched atop Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Museum serves as a gateway to Fairmount Park. Across from its north entrance, between Anne d’Harnoncourt and Kelly Drive, the Armenian Heritage Walk surrounds the repositioned Young Meher statue. This new space will feature a walkway, artwork stations, landscaping, and lighting.
DESIGN RENDERINGS
Below you see the latest artist renderings of key elements of the project.
The new Armenian Heritage Walk is a landscaped garden and outdoor sculpture gallery with themes designed to enrich and educate visitors about Armenian culture in a variety of ways. The overall design is an integration of cultural art, landscape, and Armenian history.
Visitors entering the project from the east side of the Philadelphia Museum of Art travel the museum-lined Benjamin Franklin Parkway, while visitors entering from the west are connected to the Schuylkill River Trail. These notable art-filled pedestrian routes lead visitors to the newly landscaped and sculpture-rich Armenian Heritage Walk, directly outside the north entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
LANDSCAPING
In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Morris Arboretum, and PhiladelphiaParks and Recreation, the Armenian Heritage Foundation of Philadelphia’s Design Committee has developed a robust and meaningful landscape and planting plan for the Armenian Heritage Walk. Together, they have carefully selected plant species that are ecologically significant to Armenia andwell-adapted to both the United States and the specific conditions of the site. The diagram belowhighlights these selected species and the Armenian provinces where they are naturally found.
1. Euroasia Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum
multiflorum) *substituting Polygonatum orientale
Armenian Regions: Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Aragatsotn,
Gegharkunik, Yerevan, Vaoyts Dzor, Syunik
2. Siberian Squill
(Scilla siberia)
Armenian Regions: Lori, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik,
Vayots Dzor, & Syunik Provinces
3. Autumn Crocus
(Crocus speciosus)
Armenian Regions: Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik,
Vayots Dzor, & Syunik Provinces
4. Cornelia Cherry
(Cornus mas)
Armenian Regions:
Tavush, Gegharkunik, Ararat
5. English Spreading Yew (Taxus baccata)
Armenian Regions:
Syunik & Tavush Provinces
6. Catmint
(Nepeta racemosa)
Armenian Regions:
Aragatsotn, Lori, Gegharkunik, Syunik,
Vayots Dzor, Shirak, Kotayk
7. Fern-Leaf Yarrow
(Achillea filipendulina)
Armenian Regions: Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Syunik,
Vayots Dzor, Shirak, Lori, Ararat
8. Bloody Cranesbill
(Geranium sanguineum)
Armenian Regions: Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Lori, Shirak,
Ararat, Armavir, Tavush, Vayots Dzor, Syunik
9. Lilac Sage
(Salvia verticillata)
Armenian Regions:
Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Lori, Shirak, Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Tavush
10. Giant Bellflower
(Achillea Filipendulina)
Armenian Regions:
Lori, Gegharkunik, Syunik, Vayots
Dzor, Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Shirak
11. Oriental Poppy
(Papaver orientale)
Armenian Regions:
Shirak, Lori, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Gegharkunik,
Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Tavush, Ararat
LEARN ABOUT THE PROJECT
Discover the legend of the Meher statue, the artist behind its creation, and the intricate details that make it a unique cultural and artistic treasure within Philadelphia’s vast library of sculptures. Learn More
The Project Design
This project holds deep symbolic and cultural significance for both the Armenian community and the City of Philadelphia. Explore the inspiration behind it and the many details that make it truly special. Learn More
On April 24, 1976, Armenians from across the country gathered in Philadelphia to unveil and dedicate a statue honoring the legendary Armenian hero, Young Meher. Explore the history and view photos from this momentous day. Learn More
