
I first met Bolton in 1971 at the funeral of Lester H Sellers, and architect and sculptor friend of Bolton’s. Bo had recently done a project for The Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, American’s oldest hospital that had included serious carving. Sellers would often visit Bo and look at his carving tools and say – “Ho, ho Bo whatdya think you’re doing – cutting butter?” Keeping the right sharp edge on carving tools is essential, and hard to do. I know Sellers had advised him on this piece.
As with some of Bolton’s projects especially earlier ones, this project was the result of family connections. The Morris family are among Pennsylvania’s oldest and most distinguished families and years ago that meant a great deal and in Philadelphia the Pennsylvania Hospital remained such an institution for a very long time.
It seems that the new wing would require a chapel where family members, or patients, could retire to pray or meditate and by the mid 19602 that meant a “non-denominational” chapel. And so, he got the commission. I am happy to say a recent visit there brought me the great pleasure of seeing the work once again. The seal of the hospital was an image of the Good Samaritan caring for the dying man and Bo carved in walnut his own version of that scene based on the engraving. It is mounted on a wall of walnut paneling typical of the period and it is beautifully integrated into the main entrance of the hospital building.

Inside he designed a tapestry as an ‘altar’ hanging in the central portion. (As it was Christmastime the setting was littered with evergreens and typical ‘Holiday Decorations’ that prevented a better view). The theme chosen was one of hope – “O All Ye Works of the Lord” Praise Him and Magnify His Name Forever.”

At the rear of the chapel as one leaves is a fine carved walnut plaque with the names of the donors n Bolton’s gorgeous Italic lettering with his own take on Grindling Gibbons style rococo carving.
