A Never Never Land in Camden, NJ

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
-J.M. Barrie

This isn’t Neverland ladies and gentlemen, but it is a statue of Peter Pan. This statute can be found in Camden and is one of Sir George Frampton’s notable works.

Among Frampton’s famous public sculptures; are the figures of Peter Pan playing a set of pipes, the lions at the British Museum and the Edith Cavell monument that stands outside the National Portrait Gallery, London.

The original statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, London, was commissioned by J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, in 1912. Seven more casts were made of the statue, situated all over the world. However, the statute residing in Camden is the only one in the United States.

Picture of the Peter Pan Statue taken in the late 1930’s in Camden.

This pulsating Peter Pan statue dedicated on September 24, 1926 to the children of Camden. It resides in Johnson Park. He enjoys sprinkling his fairy dust and key to the fountain of youth on his arriving visitors.

There are other noted works of bronze art in the Park. Some are by Philadelphia sculptor Albert Laessle. Some of Laessle’s works were commissioned especially for Johnson Park, while others, including “Billy,” a playful goat, were cast from the original mold. “Billy”, “Dancing Goat”, “Pan”, and “Turtle and Duck” are among the whimsical additions to the park by Laessle.

Another famous sculptor by J. Otto Schweitzer, installed in 1930, is called,”Lily Pond Railing.” It is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece depicting a marshland habit of reeds, graceful herons and arching fish.

This is incredibly spectacular to see in such a place like Camden. Treasured works-of-art preserved as part of our past. I really hope just one day Camden could be returned to its former glory. It was a beautiful city in its day.

Until our next adventure, my friends!

-The Yummygal

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”

-J.M. Barrie (Author of Peter Pan)