The iconic statue of the bare-chested Lenni Lenape chief Tawanka inside Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem will survive the property’s redevelopment, writes Jo Ciavaglia for the Bucks County Courier Times.
The bronze statue depicting the chief crouching down for a sip of water on top of a rock plateau was created by Philadelphia artist Henry Mitchell and dedicated in 1970. It was originally commissioned by the Strawbridge family to be placed outside the entrance of the anchor store Strawbridge & Clothier.
While the exact future of the mall, which sold about a year ago, is still unknown, aside from plans to demolish most of the structures, but it has been confirmed that the statue will not be destroyed.
“The Indian will be preserved,” said Pat Conte, Neshaminy Mall manager.
Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties, the property’s new owners, are aware of concerns regarding the fate of the statue. While they do not yet know if it will be incorporated into the redevelopment plan, there are no plans to get rid of either the Neshaminy Indian or the three other remaining animatronic displays of Colonial life.
“They will not be destroyed,” said Conte.
To learn more about the statue’s legacy and what lies ahead for Neshaminy Mall, read the full article in the Bucks County Courier Times.
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