Plainfield, New Jersey, is one of those cities that was fairly prosperous at the beginning of the 20th Century, but not so much at its end. From 1917 to 1918 the city built its present City Hall. Last year I was retained by a client with several redevelopment projects in the city, so I had numerous occasions to be in the building. Eventually I realized that there were some interesting heraldic elements to it.
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/north_facade.jpg
Both the north and the south facades – I believe the north is pictured above – have a depiction of the shield and crest of the State of New Jersey. The depiction is quite unusual in that the State’s motto "Liberty and Prosperity" is shown encircling the shield, much like is done by the highest grade members of the Order of the Bath or the Order of Canada.
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/nj_close1.jpg
In addition to the State’s arms, above many of the windows there is this display:
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/double_p.jpg
Inquiries in the building did not result in finding anyone who knew the significance of this apparent coat of arms. It may just be a pseudo-heraldic decorative element. I have found no evidence that it is or ever was used by the city on its seal or letterhead. (The city’s letterhead uses a graphic if the building’s cupola as a logo.)
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/plaque1.jpg
The single "charge" on the "shield" looks like the letter "P" with its "loop" repeated reversed. The above plaque inside the building does use a caduceus (detail below) which vaguely suggest the "double-p" symbol, but I doubt they were intended to be the same object.
Also inside the building is a World War Honor Roll
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/plaque3.jpg
(Unfortunately a more recently installed reception desk blocks part of this memorial) Note the circle on the left of the plaque (dexter, in case like me you are sometimes confused by left and right), just above the sign on the desk. As the detail below shows, it is another depiction of the State’s arms (three plows)
http://www.bohn.org/AHSforum/disk1.jpg
Its counterpart to the sinister is a non-heraldic depiction. Although I don’t know exactly what it is intended to represent, I note that Washington Rock, although not in Plainfield, is nearby.
I drove past this building last night after saying Mass in North Plainfield.
I find the obscuring a of a war memorial, especially one that was clearly so important it was adorned with symbols of both the state and town as well as the nation, by a reception desk sad. A quick phone call to the American Legion is in order, I say.
Joseph Staub;75340 wrote:
I find the obscuring a of a war memorial, especially one that was clearly so important it was adorned with symbols of both the state and town as well as the nation, by a reception desk sad. A quick phone call to the American Legion is in order, I say.
You could start with a quick call to the management of the location itself. They may be receptive to looking at alternatives.
