Hans Christian Andersen
In a terrace overlooking Conservatory Water is the monument to the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) best known for his fairy tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Little Match Girl.
A bronze statue depicts the author seated with his top hat removed and reading his story, The Ugly Duckling, to a duckling. Children are often drawn to climb up the sculpture and onto Andersen’s lap. He presides over a small plaza, where a seasonal storytelling program has been presented for children since 1957.
The monument commemorates the author’s 150th birthday and was unveiled in the Park in 1956. A Danish-American Women's Association initiated and largely funded the monument with additional donations from Danish and American schoolchildren. American sculptor Georg Lober created the likeness of Andersen.
The Andersen monument is one of several child-friendly features at Conservatory Water. Just to the north is another beloved and climbable statue, Alice in Wonderland. In the warmer months, children and adults can rent miniature yachts and sailboats for use on Conservatory Water from Kerbs Boat House.
