PA Historic Places

Exploring the Ashland Mothers Memorial in Schuylkill County

A collage of four images related to the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania. The top left photo shows the bronze statue of the seated woman with the pedestal inscription 'MOTHER / A MOTHER IS THE / HOLIEST THING ALIVE.' The top right photo is a side view of the statue overlooking the town. The bottom left is a historic black and white image of the statue's installation. The bottom right photo shows a plaque stating that the Mothers' Memorial has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Ashland Mothers Memorial in Schuylkill County, you’re in the right place!

The Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue in Ashland, Pennsylvania, seen from a side angle. The statue of a seated woman is perched atop a stone pedestal that reads 'MOTHER / A MOTHER IS THE / HOLIEST THING / ALIVE.' The memorial is enclosed by a pointed stone wall and set against a backdrop of dense green foliage. — The Ashland Mothers Memorial is a popular roadside attraction in Schuylkill County.

The Ashland Mothers Memorial is a 7 foot-tall bronze sculpture based on the 1871 painting commonly referred to as “Whistler’s Mother”.

The famous painting ‘Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1,’ commonly known as ‘Whistler’s Mother,’ by James McNeill Whistler.

The memorial represents a reverence for motherhood and fondness for one’s hometown.

The Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue seen from behind, presiding over a panoramic view of Ashland, Pennsylvania. The memorial is centered between an American flag on the right and a Pennsylvania state flag on the left. A series of stone steps leads down to the town, showcasing houses, streets, and lush green hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — Overlooking Ashland from the memorial.

The sculpture sits on a 3 ton granite slab, which is engraved with a line from poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge: “A Mother Is the Holiest Thing Alive”.

A close-up view of the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania, showcasing a bronze statue of a mother in a seated position. The pedestal bears the inscription 'ERECTED SEPT 5 1938' on one side and 'MOTHER / A MOTHER IS THE / HOLIEST THING / ALIVE' on the other. The memorial is set against a backdrop of a residential neighborhood with houses, trees, and a clear blue sky with clouds. A stone pathway and wall are visible in the foreground. — “A mother is the holiest thing alive.”

Today, this bronze mother watches over Ashland from a her hillside perch above Chestnut Street.

Historical Significance

Erected in 1938, the Ashland Mother’s Memorial was first conceived by the Ashland Boys’ Association (A.B.A.), an organization comprised of men and boys born in Ashland.

The Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania, viewed from the base of the stone steps leading up to the statue. A historical blue and gold marker stands in the foreground, detailing the Ashland Boys' Association. Behind it, the bronze statue of a seated woman atop a circular stone wall is framed by an American flag on one side and green trees on the other. A plaque noting the memorial's placement on the National Register of Historic Places is also visible at the base of the signpost. — Street-level view of the memorial.

Beginning in 1903, the A.B.A. held Labor Day weekend homecoming events for former residents who had left Ashland in search of work, due to the downturn in the local anthracite coal mining industry.

Historical marker for the Ashland Boys' Association, a blue and gold sign with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission emblem, detailing the association's history and its strong ties to the local community, with the WPA-built Mothers' Memorial mentioned. The marker is set against a landscaped background with a stone wall and residential buildings in Ashland, Pennsylvania. — Historical marker about the Ashland Boys Association.

In 1933, the A.B.A first proposed erecting a monument embodying the organization’s foundational motto, “Come on Home.”

A historic black and white photo of the Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue during its installation in 1938 in Ashland, Pennsylvania. The statue of the seated woman is in stark contrast to the surrounding undeveloped landscape, with bare ground and a few scattered buildings in the background. The photograph captures a moment in time before the memorial became a fully established site. — “Whistler’s Mother” during construction of the memorial (public domain image).

Since many at the time felt thoughts of home and thoughts of one’s mother were deeply intertwined, the idea for the Ashland Mothers Memorial was born.

A bronze plaque at the Ashland Mothers Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania, with an inscription that reads: 'THIS IS A REPRODUCTION IN BRONZE OF WHISTLERS FAMOUS PAINTING. IT HONORS ALL MOTHERS, PAST AND PRESENT AND IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY. ERECTED BY THE ASHLAND BOYS ASSOCIATION AND DEDICATED ON SEPT. 4, 1938. DESIGNER: EMIL SIEBERN SCULPTOR: JULIUS C. LOESTER COURTESY OF ASHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1963.' The plaque commemorates the memorial's dedication and its unique status as a tribute to mothers, based on Whistler's famous work. — Plaque at base of the sculpture.

Even with the country firmly in the grips of the Great Depression, the A.B.A. managed to raise over $6000.00 for the project, enlisting designer Emil Siebern and sculptor Julius Loester to create the bronze sculpture.

Vintage black and white photograph showing the installation of the Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue in 1938, Ashland, Pennsylvania. The statue is being maneuvered into place by several workers using a wooden ramp and ropes. One man is directing the operation while others are actively pushing and pulling to position the statue. Residential homes and the hilly landscape of Ashland serve as a backdrop to the scene. — Moving the sculpture up the hill into place (public domain image).

The sculpture was dedicated on September 4, 1938, by Ashland’s two oldest mothers – Mary Wilson, age 91, and Elizabeth Schmidt, age 88.

Historic black and white photograph of the dedication ceremony for the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in 1938, Ashland, Pennsylvania. A large crowd has gathered around the circular stone wall enclosing the bronze statue of the seated woman. Many people are standing, and some are seated in folding chairs, all facing the memorial. Buildings and trees line the background, indicative of the community's presence and interest. — Dedication day for the memorial in 1938 (public domain image).

The memorial became a popular symbol for Ashland, and served as a beacon of hope in this time of nationwide financial crisis.

Vintage postcard depicting the Shrine to Mother at Ashland, Pennsylvania. The hand-colored card shows the Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue of a seated woman atop a circular stone wall, with steps leading up to it. The memorial is surrounded by trees with a serene sky in the background. — The memorial scene captured on a vintage postcard.

Visiting the Ashland Mothers Memorial Today

Visiting the Ashland Mothers Memorial today is like taking a step back into history.

The Ashland Mothers' Memorial statue in Ashland, Pennsylvania, depicting a seated woman on a stone pedestal with the inscription 'MOTHER / A MOTHER IS THE / HOLIEST THING ALIVE.' The statue is set within a landscaped area with a stone semi-circular wall, residential homes, and dense trees in the background. — Ashland Mothers Memorial in 2023.

The memorial has withstood the years and the elements, standing as a proud beacon on a lush, green hillside overlooking the town of Ashland.

Bronze statue of a seated woman, representing the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania. The statue is mounted on a stone pedestal with the inscription 'ERECTED SEPT 5 1938'. A Pennsylvania state flag is displayed to the left. The memorial is surrounded by a stone semi-circular wall and is located in a residential area with houses and lush greenery in the background. — A tribute to motherhood in bronze and granite.

The journey to the statue is a short climb up a series of stone steps, each one taking you further back in time.

View from the base of the hill leading up to the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania. Stone steps flanked by stone walls with pointed tops ascend towards the bronze statue of a seated woman, which is positioned between an American flag on the left and a Pennsylvania state flag on the right. The memorial is set against a backdrop of lush greenery and residential homes, under a partly cloudy sky. — Steps leading to the memorial.

Once at the top, one can’t help but feel moved by the serene presence of the statue and the sweeping views of the town below.

Side view of the Ashland Mothers' Memorial bronze statue, elevated on a stone pedestal within a circular stone wall, overlooking the town of Ashland, Pennsylvania. The statue depicts a seated woman, gazing into the distance towards the green, rolling hills. Below, the town's architecture and streets can be seen stretching into the lush tree-covered landscape. — Sweeping views of Ashland from the memorial.

It’s a place where visitors can reflect on the sacrifices of past generations and the timeless bond between mothers and their children.

A vintage U.S. postage stamp, valued at three cents, featuring the iconic image of 'Whistler's Mother,' titled 'In Memory and In Honor of the Mothers of America.' The stamp is predominantly purple and white, with a detailed depiction of the famous painting on the right side and a bouquet of flowers in the lower left corner. — “Whistler’s Mother” was also honored on a U.S. postage stamp in 1934.

The significance of the Ashland Mothers Memorial has been solidified by its placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

A plaque at the Ashland Mothers' Memorial in Ashland, Pennsylvania, indicating that the memorial has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 2020. The plaque credits Adam J. Bernodin, III as the historian, along with the Borough of Ashland, Ashland Area Historic Preservation Society, and Schuylkill Area Community Foundation. — The memorial was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

Nearby Attractions

Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland features both a coal mine tour and a steam train excursion.

Exploring Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train in Ashland Pennsylvania. — Scenes from Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland.

Visiting a Geyser That Isn’t A Geyser in Schuylkill County reveals the truth about the nearby “Big Mine Run Geyser”, a social media sensation which is in fact nothing more than water escaping from a flooded mine shaft.

Vising a geyser that isn't a geyser in Ashland Pennsylvania. — Scenes from “the only geyser in Pennsylvania”.

The Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland is a hidden gem that offers a deep dive into the coal history that shaped the region and the country.

A collage of four photos showcasing different exhibits at the Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland, PA. Top left: The entrance to the museum with a sign reading 'COAL: THE ROCK THAT BURNS' above a hallway leading to various exhibits. Top right: A photo gallery of black and white images of coal miners. Bottom left: A replica mine tunnel constructed with heavy timber, providing a walkthrough experience. Bottom right: A glass display featuring a detailed model of a maroon and yellow dragline excavator set in a simulated mining environment. Each image captures the educational and immersive atmosphere of the museum. — Scenes from the Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland.

7 Must-See Attractions in Schuylkill County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near the Ashland Mothers’ Memorial.

A collage of four images featuring notable attractions in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The top left picture shows the iconic D.G. Yuengling & Son brewery building, a red brick structure with white trim windows, decorated with American flags and a church spire in the background. The top right image displays a large stone with a plaque commemorating Muhammad Ali as a three-time heavyweight champion, set in a serene wooded area. The bottom left photo captures a classic car garage with shiny vintage cars, including a green 1950s convertible, surrounded by automotive memorabilia. The bottom right image depicts tourists on a coal mine tour, seated in a mine car as they descend into the dimly lit depths of the earth. — Scenes from Schuylkill County.

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