Adam Clayton Powell Sculpture

In the Summer of 2020 EverGreene collaborated with Ronnette Riley Architect on efforts to conserve this sculpture. Our team of conservators completed a conditions assessment and provided treatment recommendations for the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Memorial located in the plaza of the Adam C. Powell State Office Building at 163 W 125th Street in Harlem.

The Adam Clayton Powell Memorial statue, titled “Higher Ground” was designed by sculptor Branly Cadet. The sculpture was installed in late 2004-early 2005 and dedicated in February of 2005. The bronze sculpture depicts Powell, the first African-American to be elected to congress, walking at an incline, on a pedestal clad in stainless steel sheeting. On the pedestal are granite plaque inlays with white, silver, and gold lettering/ There’s an additional descriptive plaque on one side. The whole sculpture sits on an oblong black granite platform that has been polished and honed. Gilded letters spelling out Powell’s name are etched into the face of the granite.