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Ralph Ellison Memorial

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  • Sculpture; rectangular bronze structure with cut-out male figure; four engraved stone markers
  • Sculpture; rectangular bronze structure with cut-out male figure; four engraved stone markers
  • Sculpture; rectangular bronze structure with cut-out male figure; four engraved stone markers
  • Sculpture; rectangular bronze structure with cut-out male figure; four engraved stone markers
  • Location: 150th Street and Riverside Drive
  • Sculptor: Elizabeth Catlett
  • Architect: Ken Smith, Landscape Architect
  • Description: Sculpture; rectangular bronze structure with cut-out male figure; four engraved stone markers
  • Materials: Bronze and deer isle granite
  • Dimensions: H: 15' W: 7'6" D: 6" Weight: 5,000 lbs
  • Cast: 2002
  • Dedicated: May 1, 2003
  • Foundry: Johnson Atelier, Mercerville, NJ
  • Inscription: Inscription 1:
    RALPH ELLISON / 1914-1994 / AMERICAN WRITER / LONGTIME RESIDENT OF 730 RIVERSIDE DRIVE / HIS PIONEERING NOVEL, INVISIBLE MAN (1952), / DETAILS THE STRUGGLES OF A YOUNG / AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN IN A HOSTILE SOCIETY. /

    Inscription 2:
    "I AM AN INVISIBLE MAN... / I AM INVISIBLE, UNDERSTAND, SIMPLY BECAUSE / PEOPLE REFUSE TO SEE ME." / -RALPH ELLISON, 1952 / INVISIBLE MAN / ELIZABETH CATLETT / SCULPTOR / MAY 2003 /

    Inscription 3:
    "THE VERY IDEA OF BEING IN NEW YORK WAS DREAMLIKE, / FOR LIKE MANY YOUNG NEGROES OF THE TIME, I THOUGHT / OF IT AS THE FREEST OF AMERICAN CITIES, AND CONSIDERED / HARLEM AS THE SITE AND SYMBOL OF AFRO-AMERICAN / PROGRESS AND HOPE. INDEED, I WAS BOTH YOUNG AND / BOOKISH ENOUGH TO THINK OF MANHATTAN AS MY / SUBSTITUTE FOR PARIS, AND OF HARLEM AS A PLACE OF LEFT / BANK EXCITEMENT. SO NOW THAT I WAS THERE IN ITS / GLAMOROUS SCENE, I MEANT TO MAKE THE MOST OF ITS / OPPORTUNITIES." / -RALPH ELLISON / AN EXTRAVAGENCE OF LAUGHTER, 1986 /

Please note, the NAME field includes a primary designation as well as alternate namingsoften in common or popular usage. The DEDICATED field refers to the most recent dedication, most often, butnot necessarily the original dedication date. If the monument did not have a formal dedication, the yearlisted reflects the date of installation.

For more information, please contact Art & Antiquities at (212) 360-8163

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Know Before You Go

Park
Riverside Park

Due to construction, as of September 23, 2024, Cherry Walk at Riverside Park is temporarily closed between West 100th Street and St. Clair Place (West 125th St). Please view our Temporary Greenway Detour map for an alternative route.


Anticipated Completion: Spring 2025
Marinas
West 79th Street Boat Basin
The 79th Street Boat Basin is closed and is anticipated to reopen in 2028.

Related inquiries may be sent to boatbasin@parks.nyc.gov
Kayak/Canoe Launch Sites
Riverside Park (79th Street)
The 79th Street Boat Basin marina is currently closed. No vessel dockage, moorage, anchorage or launch services are available. The marina will be dredged and reconstructed to modern codes and standards. The marina is anticipated to reopen in 2028.

Related inquiries may be sent to boatbasin@parks.nyc.gov