The Octavius V. Catto Memorial:
A Quest for Parity

The Octavius V. Catto memorial celebrates the 19th century civil rights activist, educator, and scholar who dedicated his life to the abolition of slavery and the establishment of equal rights for all, regardless of race. The memorial is situated adjacent to Philadelphia’s historic City Hall and is the first sculpture of an African American to be located on City of Philadelphia public property.

OLIN and our team of local consultants collaborated with artist, Branly Cadet, to site and implement three main sculptural elements which reveal the story of Octavius Catto. A granite abstraction of an 1860’s horse-drawn streetcar stands behind the figure of Catto, who, a century before Rosa Parks, sought to desegregate the horse-drawn streetcar by waging protests and sit-ins. Catto’s figure stands before a steel representation of a mid-nineteenth century ballot box reflecting his efforts to get the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified in Pennsylvania, giving all men—regardless of race—the right to vote. The distinctive bronze figural sculpture of Octavius Catto leans forward with outstretched arms, serving as an invitation to the public to see themselves as active agents of change.

Location
Philadelphia, PA

Commissioned By
The Octavius V. Catto Memorial Fund

Owner
The City of Philadelphia

Status
Completed 2017

Key Team Members
Susan K. Weiler, Partner-in-Charge
Greg Burrell, Project Manager
Rebecca Popowsky, Associate