April 24, 2021. Fitzgerald Fountain in Founders Park, Ocean Grove, N.J. By Paul Goldfinger © Click to enlarge.
Paul Goldfinger, MD from Blogfingerland.
The historic fountain had been rededicated on July, 27, 2019. The original date was 1907. It had fallen into a miserable state.
The restoration was a laborious process and pieces of the fountain were sent out of state to be brought back like new. It cost a great deal of money, but when it was unveiled that July day, there was jubilation and pride evident in the large collection of people present who applauded when the water was turned on and actually worked after a few worrisome moments.
The fountain was not some frozen antique object. It was now alive, and it flowed, splashed, bubbled and rippled to the delight of all who visited.
It was off duty this winter, being shrouded in a white plastic protective coat. The town was not going to let this version fall into disrepair. But now, in early spring, it was showing for all to see once again. It had appeared, as if by some magic, along with a crop of early daffodils.
We know that a great deal of gardening will eventually be accomplished with flowers around.
And now we realize that the fountain, along with the early daffodils, will forever be a sign of early spring in Ocean Grove.
We all can’t wait for the water to go back on. That is the living and breathing part of it—it will feel no less alive than the spring flowers.
Go over and pay it a visit. Watch for the planting progress as it is now the center piece of Founders Park. When you discover the water flowing, put your hand in and bring the kids. Let them associate this opening with the hope of spring time. Hopefully the fountain guardians will allow children to approach.
And for many of us it will bring to mind our old friend and OG historian Ted Bell who was the inspiration for bringing the fountain back to life.
DORIS DAY: We could emulate the Trevi Fountain in Rome: turn your back, toss some coins, and make a wish.
Most of the original fountain was gone and beyond restoration. Only the base of the fountain, the rim, and the first of the four original tiers remained, while those bits were sent out to be restored.
A new fountain was created for the majority of the parts. They were cast from the original molds; not the original fountain but a lovely recreation made in the same fashion by the successor company, Robinson Ironworks in Alexander City, Alabama.
Robinson bought Fiske who had made the original fountain.
The erection of a barrier around the fountain is still in the works. The earliest idea was a series of stanchions and chains. This apparently proved too costly. The fountain was originally surrounded by a low pipe fence and I understand this may be the item used. There is a desire to have this installed by the end of May.
I feel the fountain has transformed the appearance of the park even though it is not such a huge object. Formerly, the large Anniversary Vase stood close to the bridge marking the location of the Thornely tent where the first prayer meeting was held in July 1869. This was similar in appearance to the extant Memorial Vase.