The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is home to many species of birds, including a special eagle from New York City. This stone monument is a remnant of the original Penn Station, designed by McKim, Mead, and White. It was one of 22 eagles that lined the cornice of the colossal train station. When the station was demolished in 1963, the eagles were scattered throughout the country.
Pennsylvania Central Railroad donated the eagle to the zoo after encouragement from Smithsonian Secretary Dillon Ripley. The eagle arrived in D.C. in 1965, and it temporarily moved to Montreal for the Expo 67, where it was on display in the U.S. Pavilion. You can see it from above in this photo!
The eagle at the zoo is made of Tennessee pink marble and was designed by German-born sculptor Adolph Weinman. You may think it resembles the eagle on the Walking Liberty Half Dollar, also designed by Weinman. Besides the stone eagles, Weinman crafted four pairs of allegorical figures titled 'Day and Night' for Penn Station.
Track down the rest of the remaining Penn Station eagles and see one for yourself on our upcoming Secrets of Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall tour!
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