Marconi Memorial
Dublin Core
Title
Marconi Memorial
Subject (Topic)
Subject (Topic)
Roger Williams Park--Rhode Island--Providence
South Elmwood--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence
Roger Williams Park--Rhode Island--Providence
South Elmwood--Neighborhoods--Rhode Island--Providence
Monuments--Rhode Island--Providence
Subject (Name)
Subject (Name)
Marconi, Guglielmo Giovanni Maria, 1874-1937
Marconi, Guglielmo Giovanni Maria, 1874-1937
Subject (Object)
Subject (Object)
Commemorative sculpture
Commemorative sculpture
Description
The Providence-based architect Oresto DiSaia designed the Marconi Memorial which takes the form of a tall square column with two small, stepped squares at the top. The front of the memorial includes a bas-relief portrait of Marconi, dedicatory script, and a carved urn with an eternal flame at the base.
Four bas-reliefs are carved at the top of the column; the front and back reliefs are the same scene. The front and back bas-relief depicts a ship in the middle of the scene. On the left, a man in a cap, shirt and tie, and trousers raises an arm towards an electrical tower and an airplane. The man on the right wears a suit and gestures towards a lightning bolt and another airplane.
The right and left sides of the memorials also contain two bas-reliefs that are the same. The bas-relief scene contains a globe at the center with North and South America outlined. To the left of the globe, a man who is standing on cloud-like formations holds three lightning bolts in his hand; on the right, a tower emits bolts of electricity. On the outer edges of the scene are an airplane and a train and electrical poles.
Four bas-reliefs are carved at the top of the column; the front and back reliefs are the same scene. The front and back bas-relief depicts a ship in the middle of the scene. On the left, a man in a cap, shirt and tie, and trousers raises an arm towards an electrical tower and an airplane. The man on the right wears a suit and gestures towards a lightning bolt and another airplane.
The right and left sides of the memorials also contain two bas-reliefs that are the same. The bas-relief scene contains a globe at the center with North and South America outlined. To the left of the globe, a man who is standing on cloud-like formations holds three lightning bolts in his hand; on the right, a tower emits bolts of electricity. On the outer edges of the scene are an airplane and a train and electrical poles.
Creator
DiSaia, Oresto, 1900-1976
Source
Photographs by Eric Sung, Professor, Providence College
Date
October 25, 1953
Contributor
Rhode Island Sons of Italy; Marconi Memorial Fund Committee: William F. Fitzpatrick, Chairman; Oresto DiSaia, Secretary; Frank Rao, Treasurer; Alice Thompson Smith, women’s division chairman; Alex Drinkwater, committee member. Luigi Scala; Antonio Pace; Frank Gammino, M. A. Gammino Construction Co.; Providence Monumental Works; Francis Cappalli, AFL Musicians Union (now the AFM); Danilo Sciotti, R. I. Opera Guild
Rights
City of Providence, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
Format
JPEG
Language
English
Type
Visual Arts-Sculpture
Coverage
Roger Williams Park, FC Memorial Boulevard and Carr Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States
Has Part
Inscription on front of memorial:
Marconi
To Guglielmo Marconi
Father of Wireless Telegraphy
A Grateful Generation Erects this
Monument in Thanksgiving for
The Wondrous Gift of Aeriel
Communication Which Has Enriched
Commerce and Industry, Fostered
The Arts and Sciences, Bringing
Treasures of Greater Knowledge
And Happiness into the Hearts
And Homes of Mankind
Inscription on stone urn:
Dedicated October 25, 1958
Inscription on left and right sides of memorial:
Marconi
Artist’s signature on left side of memorial:
Oresto DiSaia, A.I.A., Designer
Marconi
To Guglielmo Marconi
Father of Wireless Telegraphy
A Grateful Generation Erects this
Monument in Thanksgiving for
The Wondrous Gift of Aeriel
Communication Which Has Enriched
Commerce and Industry, Fostered
The Arts and Sciences, Bringing
Treasures of Greater Knowledge
And Happiness into the Hearts
And Homes of Mankind
Inscription on stone urn:
Dedicated October 25, 1958
Inscription on left and right sides of memorial:
Marconi
Artist’s signature on left side of memorial:
Oresto DiSaia, A.I.A., Designer
Extent
216 in. (548.64 cm)
Medium
Westerly granite
Bibliographic Citation
"Italy Pays Final Honor to Marconi. Several Hundred Thousand Join in Tribute at Rites for Wireless Inventor. Mussolini Takes Part." Providence Journal, July 22, 1937.
"Italy Honors Marconi. 300,000 Pay Last Respects to Inventor at State Funeral." Providence Journal, July 24, 1937.
"Marconi Mass Planned. State and City Officials Will Attend Service for Inventor." Providence Journal, July 31, 1937.
"Scala Re-elected by Sons of Italy." Providence Journal, August 16, 1937.
"Priests Eulogize Senator Marconi. Memorial Service Held for Famous Inventor at Cathedral." Providence Journal, August 22, 1937.
"Council Approves Storage Permits. Concurs in Bills Authorizing Construction of Oil Tank at 70 Point Street." Providence Journal, September 14, 1937.
"Marconi Monument." Providence Journal, November 7, 1937.
"Fund Drive Opens to Honor Marconi. Governor, Mayor and Other Leaders Join in Appeal for Memorial Money." Providence Journal, January 24, 1938.
"Mayor Praises Drive. Calls for Contributions to Build Marconi Memorial." Providence Journal, January 26, 1938.
"$1557.54 Donated to Marconi Fund. City Treasurer Fritzpatrick, State Chairman, Reveals Top Gift Was $250." Providence Journal, January 27, 1938.
"Society Backs Marconi Drive. Daughters of Constitution Ask High School Be Named for Radio Inventor." Providence Journal, January 28, 1938.
"$156 Contributed to Marconi Fund. Committee Announces Added Gifts Bring Memorial Total to $1785.59." Providence Journal, February 6, 1938.
"Board Restricts School Names. Shelves Mount Pleasant High Issue by Confining Honor to Persons in State. Marconi, Edwards Barred." Providence Journal, May 10, 1938.
"Marconi Memorial Site Reapproved." Providence Journal, April 12, 1953.
"Marconi Memorial Fund Committee to Meet Tuesday." Providence Journal, June 6, 1953.
"Dedication Set for Sept. 20. $2500 Needed to Assure Success of Marconi Memorial Fund." Providence Journal, June 10, 1953.
"Seek Choristers for Dedication." Providence Journal, July 5, 1953.
"Marconi Memorial Dedication Oct. 25." Providence Journal, September 6, 1953.
"Marconi Shaft to be Unveiled." Providence Journal, October 18, 1953.
Advertisement. "The Public is Invited to the Dedication of the Monument in Honor of Guglielmo Marconi." Providence Journal, October 24, 1953.
Tripp, Ruth. "Music. Marconi Dedication Concert Held at Memorial Auditorium." Providence Journal, October 26, 1953.
"Italy Honors Marconi. 300,000 Pay Last Respects to Inventor at State Funeral." Providence Journal, July 24, 1937.
"Marconi Mass Planned. State and City Officials Will Attend Service for Inventor." Providence Journal, July 31, 1937.
"Scala Re-elected by Sons of Italy." Providence Journal, August 16, 1937.
"Priests Eulogize Senator Marconi. Memorial Service Held for Famous Inventor at Cathedral." Providence Journal, August 22, 1937.
"Council Approves Storage Permits. Concurs in Bills Authorizing Construction of Oil Tank at 70 Point Street." Providence Journal, September 14, 1937.
"Marconi Monument." Providence Journal, November 7, 1937.
"Fund Drive Opens to Honor Marconi. Governor, Mayor and Other Leaders Join in Appeal for Memorial Money." Providence Journal, January 24, 1938.
"Mayor Praises Drive. Calls for Contributions to Build Marconi Memorial." Providence Journal, January 26, 1938.
"$1557.54 Donated to Marconi Fund. City Treasurer Fritzpatrick, State Chairman, Reveals Top Gift Was $250." Providence Journal, January 27, 1938.
"Society Backs Marconi Drive. Daughters of Constitution Ask High School Be Named for Radio Inventor." Providence Journal, January 28, 1938.
"$156 Contributed to Marconi Fund. Committee Announces Added Gifts Bring Memorial Total to $1785.59." Providence Journal, February 6, 1938.
"Board Restricts School Names. Shelves Mount Pleasant High Issue by Confining Honor to Persons in State. Marconi, Edwards Barred." Providence Journal, May 10, 1938.
"Marconi Memorial Site Reapproved." Providence Journal, April 12, 1953.
"Marconi Memorial Fund Committee to Meet Tuesday." Providence Journal, June 6, 1953.
"Dedication Set for Sept. 20. $2500 Needed to Assure Success of Marconi Memorial Fund." Providence Journal, June 10, 1953.
"Seek Choristers for Dedication." Providence Journal, July 5, 1953.
"Marconi Memorial Dedication Oct. 25." Providence Journal, September 6, 1953.
"Marconi Shaft to be Unveiled." Providence Journal, October 18, 1953.
Advertisement. "The Public is Invited to the Dedication of the Monument in Honor of Guglielmo Marconi." Providence Journal, October 24, 1953.
Tripp, Ruth. "Music. Marconi Dedication Concert Held at Memorial Auditorium." Providence Journal, October 26, 1953.
Rights Holder
Department of Art, Culture, Tourism, City of Providence
Citation
DiSaia, Oresto, 1900-1976, “Marconi Memorial,” Commemorative Works of Providence, accessed April 1, 2026, https://monuments.artculturetourism.com/items/show/39.