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FAO Schwartz Bear
Artist:
Robert Shure
Location:
Tufts Medical Center
Location
Tufts Medical Center
United States
See map: Google Maps
Neighborhood:
Chinatown
Type:
Sculpture
Year:
1991
Medium:
Bronze
Collection:
City of Boston
Funders:
Unknown
Description:
This iconic sculpture by Boston-area artist Robert Shure originally marked the site of the F.A.O. Schwartz toy store on Boylston Street. When the store closed in 2004, the bear was donated to the city, and Mayor Menino asked the city’s children to find a new home for their 12-foot, 3-ton bronze buddy. Some of the most popular proposals included the Franklin Park Zoo, the Children’s Hospital at Longwood, and the Floating Hospital for Children in Chinatown. With over 7,000 entries to the Mayor’s contest, the decision was a difficult one. The Floating Hospital eventually won, thanks to its young patients, who sent in a flood of contest entries.