Fountain
Washington DC 1876
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| Fountain Washington DC 1876 |
The Bartholdi Fountain, in Washington DC is located southwest of the Capitol Building, across Independence Ave. from the U.S. Botanic Garden. It is the centerpiece of Bartholdi Park, a triangular island between Independence Avenue, First Street SW, and Washington Ave. Bartholdi composed the fountain of Classical and Renaissance forms, featuring 3 sea nymphs, each 11 feet tall, holding a large basin. The Fountain itself rests in a larger reflecting basin, approximately 40 feet in diameter. The fountain is about 30 feet tall, weighs about 40 tons. The cast iron piece also includes frogs, turtles, fish and cherubs. The fountain was cast in Paris and completed for the 1876 International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, the same exhibit at which Bartholdi displayed the Statue of Liberty’s right arm and torch. Bartholdi had originally intended to complete the Statue of Liberty in 1876 in time for the Country's Centennial, but construction was delayed. While the remainder of the statue was being completed in Paris, Bartholdi displayed the arm and torch at the Philadelphia Exhibition, along with his commissioned fountain. At the suggestion of Frederick Law Olmsted, the famous Landscape Architect, the fountain was purchased for $6,000 by the US government and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1877. It was placed at the base of Capitol Hill, then the National Botanic Garden grounds. When the Garden was moved in 1927, the Fountain was stored, and in 1932 mounted in its current location. The fountain was restored in 1986, repainted in 1996 and funded for major restoration in 2003. The Fountain was among the first Washington public monuments to be illuminated at night. The original fixtures were gas, replaced with the glass sphere electric fixtures in 1915. From the transcript of the US Senate Appropriations Committee, May 8, 2003, Legislative Branch Subcommittee: Statement of Alan Hantman, Office of the Architect of the Capitol Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, I welcome this opportunity to testify before you today. The Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has always worked closely with the Sub-Committee for the Legislative Branch on Appropriations in a successful and collaborative relationship … We are requesting $513.9 million for Fiscal Year 2004, — $4.3 million to refurbish Bartholdi Park … Project Descriptions Bartholdi Park Fountain Restoration and Park Renovations -- $4,280,000 This project will provide funding to restore the Bartholdi fountain which was purchased from the 1876 International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, and was moved to Washington, DC in 1877. The restoration of the fountain to its cast iron metal base in 1986, was expected to last approximately 10 years. The four top coatings have disintegrated and the cast iron is exposed in areas. Although the fountain is functional, both the top and lower basins leak and many of the water sprays function sporadically. This project will renovate and restore the existing fountain and basin. This includes providing and applying a coating treatment to the deteriorating metal finish; upgrading and replacing all plumbing; upgrading the electrical components; installing a new utility vault, basin, light fixtures, and l9th century replicas of the original light fixtures and basin standards. All irrigation to the fountain and Bartholdi Park will be replaced. Most of the park does not have an irrigation system and requires high maintenance and manpower during the summer months. Additionally, the deteriorating sidewalk will be removed and replaced. If not funded, the Bartholdi sculpture will continue to deteriorate and the fountain will become inoperable. 
LINKS to BARTHOLDI FOUNTAIN The Architect of the Capitol - Bartholdi Fountain ABOUT.com - Bartholdi Fountain US Botanic Garden Original Main Conservatory and the Bartholdi Fountain Carolyn Hoyle Painting - "Bartholdi's Fountain" Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO Mary Ann Sullivan. Bluffton College - Bartholdi Fountain Photos Cultural Tourism Washington DC - Bartholdi Fountain and Park Thomas Bucci Painting - "Bartholdi Fountain" |
