Projects and Opportunities
Bartholdi Fountain Restoration
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.
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (August 2, 1834
- October 4, 1904) 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 stands 29
feet tall and weighs 30,440 lbs.. 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 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. Part of the restoration by Robinson
Iron will be to replace the current fixtures
with copies of the original gaslights - only
they will have LED lights. Robinson will
also repair and/or replace any damaged and
missing pieces, refinish the piece and
restore the original water flow. Improved
anchorage and access to the interior of the
fountain is another of Robinson’s tasks.
PDF
File showing full elevation of fountain.
Robinson Iron
Designers, manufacturers and installers of architectural metalwork in cast metals - iron, aluminum, stainless steel and bronze. Specialties include the replication and/or preservation, restoration of historic details. Research and documentation are supported with an extensive collection of antique pattern work.
Engineering services accompany carefully controlled manufacturing/fabrication techniques. Understanding and converting difficult timelines, Robinson Iron delivers quantity with quality. Monumental scale is a specialty. Crews of craftspeople work in-house to complete each project. Field work and installation by these same teams offer continuity and insure outstanding completion.
Robinson Iron is a closely held concern located in the Southeastern “Iron Belt” with experience as far afield as the restoration of The Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The company’s distinguished resume includes many of America’s most cherished landmarked structures. They include but are not limited to: Vulcan, Birmingham, AL; Court Square Fountain, Montgomery, AL; Carnegie Hall, NYC; and The Library of Congress. Washington, DC.
Visit their website at www.robinsoniron.com and subscribe to their quarterly e-newsletter Portfoli