On Oct. 3, for the first time in decades, water will flow from the fountain in St. Albans' Taylor Park.
The fountain was first installed in October of 1887. Over the past year it was disassembled and sent to Alabama to be recast. On Sat., Oct. 3 the city will unveil the restored fountain, once again operational in its Taylor Park reflecting pool.
The fountain, locally referred to as "the ladies," is a three-tiered sculpture featuring meditating maidens, cherubs and a water nymph. According to a local history by Donald Miner, the cast iron and zinc sculpture was a gift to the village of St. Albans from former Gov. John Gregory Smith.
The city and the St. Albans Rotary Club have been overseeing the fountain's restoration. The Rotary has led a fundraising effort by selling naming opportunities on stone benches that will be placed around the fountain when it is re-installed.
A Rotary press release states, "Freshly cast in durable aluminum, and dressed in a historically authentic hue of paint, the cherubs and ladies of Taylor Park’s historic fountain are coming home."
Two celebrations will be held Oct. 3. A public unveiling ceremony is scheduled for noon, where the water to the fountain will be turned on. That evening there will be an invitation-only gala for project donors, where the fountain lights will be turned on for the first time.
"The celebrations also mark the reveal of 16 brand new, original granite benches, each bearing the names of people who contributed to the Restoration Project," the press release noted. "The benches, a new addition to Taylor Park, will be installed to the area surrounding the fountain."
