The Billy goat sculpture in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square has been a favorite for generations of children and adults alike.  Much of the detail had been worn away by countless children interacting with the bronze sculpture.  Billy (1914) is the creation of Albert Laessle (1877-1954).  Philadelphia-born Laessle, best known as an animalier, was an instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts for many years.

Kreilick Conservation, LLC proposed that the original Billy be de-installed and that a bronze replica be fabricated and installed in the same location.  A second bronze casting of Billy, located in Johnson Park on the Camden Campus of Rutgers University, is in excellent condition and, with the permission of University officials, was used to create new molds.  Using molds of the Johnson Park Billy, a bronze replica was cast using the lost wax process at Independent Casting in Philadelphia.  Finishing of the bronze, including patination and waxing, was completed by Kreilick Conservation.  Kreilick personnel then installed the replica on the original granite base in Rittenhouse Square.  Additional work on the plaza surrounding the Billy sculpture included cleaning, repairing, and repointing the limestone benches and wall, and the granite pedestal and pavers.  Asphalt paving was removed and replaced with exposed-aggregate concrete.  The teak benches were cleaned and a fresh coat of teak oil applied.  The original Billy sculpture was de-installed, conserved, and placed inside at the Philadelphia City Institute Library by Kreilick Conservation.