This is a story about three things:
1) A public drinking fountain built over 100 years ago for thirsty citizens and thirsty horses.
2) How that fountain deteriorated over time to the point that it was stained and crumbling.
3) How the local citizens rallied around their historic fountain to raise enough funds to beautifully restore it.
This two-sided Temperance Fountain was built in 1899 by the Temperance Union to honor Amelia Jeannette Kilbon. The marble used to build it was mined from local quarries and has a drinking trough for horses on one side and a stream of water flowing from a fish sculpture on the other.
The fountain's front has an engraving of Chief Konkapot of the Stockbridge Mohegans tribe,
The back of the fountain has this inscription:
THIS FOUNTAIN WAS BEGUN BY
THE LOYAL TEMPERANCE UNION
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
AMELIA JEANNETTE KILBON
AND WAS COMPLETED BY OTHER FRIENDS
AS A TRIBUTE TO HER MEMORY
1870 1897
Over time, the fountain became damaged from wear and tear, and internal leakage. It was stained and crumbling, and badly needed restoration, as well as a plan for preservation. A movement to gather donations and restore it started around 2013.
How successful was that movement? Very successful! Private donations by 375 kindhearted individuals and businesses donated $45,000 to that cause.
The restoration work began last summer as the fountain was dismantled and shipped off to a repair vendor who discovered problems with the fountain's internal plumbing lines. Leaks had helped decay and stain the marble. The marble was repaired, the water lines were updated with better material, and over one dozen hidden pins were imbedded into the Chief's face to keep it stable.
An additional $5,000 or so for a plaque and landscaping around the tiny park where the fountain sits is still needed to wrap up this project.
On May 25, 2019, the fountain was re-dedicated and it looks brand new.
Gone are the old stains and cracked marble. Members of the Mohican tribe were invited to the dedication and said a blessing over the fountain to honor their ancestor Chief Konkapot.
I thought that was pretty sweet. read more