Gun Totem

Sculpture · Downtown ·

Gun Totem

Sculpture · Downtown ·

Monument of 1,000 disabled guns symbolizing peace and harmony

Information

S Main St, Providence, RI 02903 Get directions

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,019 Cities

10 Big Things in America's Smallest State

"Standing 12 feet high in front of Providence’s Federal Courthouse is an unusual monument constructed out of steel, concrete, and used handguns. Dubbed the “Gun Totem” by its artist, Boris Bally, the imposing obelisk was constructed in 2001 with guns from a firearm buy-back program in Pittsburgh. Altogether, more than 1,000 guns went into the construction of the pillar, which was commissioned by the Providence Parks Department. All of the guns included in the project were disabled and fossilized beneath concrete, and bits of the pillar were chipped away so people could see the deadly layer beneath the its exterior. Bally has teamed up with the gun program in Pittsburgh again and has been working on a new project, a series of gun-arches, using disabled handguns in the area." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/rhode-island-sights

PCassidy

Gun Totem

Jaimie C.

Google

This came up in one of the FB groups I'm in as a "If you are ever in RI..." we were camping in CT and took a drive to the Gun Totem and it was very impressive. I may have missed the plaque describing the background information but from word of mouth, the firearms in the Gun Totem are from a gun buy back event. I would recommend taking the drive to check it out. There are plenty of coffee shops and a beautiful park within walking distance.

E C

Google

Gun Totem is interesting - located in the memorial park in the core of the city. Do not expect to find parking close by.

Mary D

Google

Cool statue but hard to find by description given. Put 66 S. Main Street, Providence, RI in your GPS and the gun totem is right across the street in the park.

Valerie P.

Google

Park is beautiful and has a lot to see. Totem was worth taking pictures of but the walk was a nice break from the car.

chris W.

Google

I wish there were something to explain the sculpture more. Some kind of history about it. But cool

Rayna E.

Google

Neat tourist site

Dan

Google

Nice piece of art

Richard K.

Google

The is a monument not a place. Located across the street from the court house in the public park

Starla F.

Yelp

This is another piece of contemporary art made by Boris Bally, a local legend in our state. This is a significant statement, one of many made by this creative, thoughtful person. Many of Boris' pieces are made from discards, including his repurposed street signs.

Robert S.

Yelp

Standing 12 feet tall in front of Providence's Federal Courthouse is this unusual monument constructed out of steel, concrete, and used handguns. The "Gun Totem" was constructed in 2001 with guns from a firearm buy-back program in Pittsburgh. Altogether, more than 1,000 guns went into the construction of the pillar, which was commissioned by the Providence Parks Department. All of the guns included in the project were disabled and fossilized beneath concrete, and bits of the pillar were chipped away so people could see the deadly layer beneath the its exterior. This is a monument for all who want peace and want to trade in their guns to make a permanent symbol of harmony and amity.

Melissa M.

Yelp

This 3,500 pound obelisk was constructed with more than 1,000 reclaimed guns at sits towards the edge of Memorial Park.

Andrea U.

Yelp

This 3,500 pound obelisk was constructed with more than 1,000 reclaimed guns. Boris Bally constructed this monument in 2001 with guns from a firearm buy-back program. All of the guns included in the project were disabled & fossilized beneath concrete, and bits of the pillar were chipped away so people could see the deadly layer beneath the its exterior.

Owen R.

Yelp

If you have a choice Take the worlds largest filing cabinet in Burlington, Vermont over the Gun Totem (a concrete pole with rusted guns). The filing cabinet was about 3 stories high!!! This is about 8 feet high, with broken guns and crumbling concrete. On the plus side; you can do the GUN TOTEM visit in about 4 seconds!

Dan R.

Yelp

I've heard of turning swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, but how about guns into art? Let me explain.... Ever see a TV news story about an amnesty program where folks can turn in their unwanted hand guns? Well Providence has taken that concept and turned it into art! This 2001 monument is 12 feet tall and shaped like an obelisk. It's made out of concrete, steel, and 1,000 surrendered hand guns. You can see it in the park in front of the Federal Courthouse in Providence. It was commissioned by the Providence Parks Department. The guns were disabled and imbedded in the concrete before they were cast into the mold. Some of the exterior concrete had to be chipped away after it dried so viewers could see what was inside the pillar. It certainly is one of the more unusual monuments I have ever seen.

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,019 Cities

10 Big Things in America's Smallest State

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/rhode-island-sights

PCassidy

Gun Totem

Jaimie C.

Google

E C

Google

Gun Totem is interesting - located in the memorial park in the core of the city. Do not expect to find parking close by.

Mary D

Google

Cool statue but hard to find by description given. Put 66 S. Main Street, Providence, RI in your GPS and the gun totem is right across the street in the park.

Valerie P.

Google

Park is beautiful and has a lot to see. Totem was worth taking pictures of but the walk was a nice break from the car.

chris W.

Google

I wish there were something to explain the sculpture more. Some kind of history about it. But cool

Rayna E.

Google

Neat tourist site

Dan

Google

Nice piece of art

Richard K.

Google

The is a monument not a place. Located across the street from the court house in the public park

Starla F.

Yelp

Robert S.

Yelp

Melissa M.

Yelp

This 3,500 pound obelisk was constructed with more than 1,000 reclaimed guns at sits towards the edge of Memorial Park.

Andrea U.

Yelp

Owen R.

Yelp

Dan R.

Yelp

Gun Totem

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10 Big Things in America's Smallest State

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10 Big Things in America's Smallest State