Baldwin was also a philanthropist who donated to the Franklin Institute and supported causes intended to help African Americans, including suffrage and abolitionism.

[2][3] Baldwin was also a philanthropist who helped finance the construction of several churches in the city and donated to the Franklin Institute to promote mechanical arts.

[14] The statue was to be donated to the Fairmount Park Art Association by the firm of Burnham, Williams & Company,[3] which was the current operators of the Baldwin Locomotive Works.

[10][11] The firm commissioned Herbert Adams, a sculptor based out of New York City, to design the statue,[3][10] which was completed and donated to the art association in 1905.

[3] On April 17, 1906, the statue was hoisted onto a pedestal at the park by several men, selected from a group of 50 who traced their employment at the locomotive works back to before Baldwin's death.

[12] Presiding over the ceremony was William P. Hensey, the head of the locomotive works, who introduced the speakers, and the statue was officially unveiled by F. T. Sulley-Darley, a daughter of Baldwin.

[17] Following the dedication, the locomotive works issued a commemorative 20-page pamphlet on the ceremony that included multiple images of the sculpture and celebrations and transcripts of all speeches given.

[3][10][19][15] The statue, which is slightly larger than life,[17] depicts Baldwin in a standing position, wearing a shirt, vest, and double-breasted coat.