PHILADELPHIA CITY HALL TOUR 6-noframes

East Portal

he Executive Entrance, or East Portal, is second in grandure only to the Ceremonial North enterance.
ntering through the arch into the main chamber, we see two grand stairways on either side leading up to the second floor executive wing. Monolithic sandstone columns atop granite pedestals, with marble inlay panels, soar up to support a coffered, cast iron ceiling three stories above.Beyond the main chamber is a transverse section with north and south entrances to the first floor. A single story chamber then opens into the courtyard and houses the entrance to the tour office where our walk first began.

he theme here is Enlightened Government and the sculptures represent activities local to Philadelphia.

The bust of Ben Franklin appropiately forms the keystone in the main arch.Spandrels to either side represent Mining and Engineering, signs of civic prosperity.
Opposite, above the second floor windows, Art is depicted in bas-relief on the left and Science on the right.

eads of American animals, the moose, bighorn sheep, and two large eagles crown the second story archways.The state and the municipal coat-of-arms are also sculpted in center panels above the arches.

s we begin climbing the stairway to the Executive entrance, look at the inset panels in each staircase. The North stairway contains a panel of a woman with the new City Hall in the background. The allegory here is Architecture. The South stairpanel depicts a male figure holding a map and compass indicating Science. A close look at the face of the male figure reveals a certain semblence to the architect himself - perhaps a token of gratitude on Calder's part or perhaps a bit of vanity exhibited by McArthur.

ou may have noticed a cleaner, brighter look to this portal. This entrance was fortunate enough to be designated for a half-million dollar sample restoration project in 1993. In addition to painting, relighting, and several masonry repairs, graffitti, bird guano, and 100+ years of grime were removed by contractors under supervision of historic conserverators and the City. Only a small sample of the cost and work involved to restore this grand monument, the project was, nevertheless, a success and a great many Philadelphians were appreciative.

e'll now enter the second floor at the top of the stairs and turn right, down the east corridor past room 215, the Mayor's office. Turning left at the north corridor, we pass displays of local artwork and arrive at room 202, THE MAYOR'S RECEPTION ROOM .