Andrew W. Mellon Memorial Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew W. Mellon Memorial Fountain |
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| Artist | Sidney Waugh |
| Year | 1951 |
| Type | Bronze, Granite, Quartz |
| Dimensions | 12 m (38 ft) |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Owner | Department of the Interior |
The Andrew W. Mellon Memorial Fountain is a beautiful bronze fountain. It was created by artist Sidney Waugh. This fountain honors Andrew W. Mellon, an important American leader.
You can find the fountain in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. It sits where three big streets meet: Pennsylvania Avenue, Constitution Avenue, and 6th Street NW. It's also right across from the National Gallery of Art. The Department of the Interior takes care of the fountain. President Harry S. Truman officially opened it on May 9, 1952.
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What Does the Fountain Look Like?
This round fountain is made of shiny bronze and sturdy granite. It has three bronze bowls, one inside the other, getting bigger as they go down. These bowls sit in a large granite pool.
The biggest bronze bowl has cool zodiac signs carved into it. These signs are placed to match the sun's position in the sky. A tall water jet shoots up 20 feet from the smallest bowl. The water then gently spills over each bowl, flowing down into the granite pool below.
Around the fountain, there's a wide granite walkway. There's also a curved granite bench where you can sit and relax.
The Bench's Message
The bench has a special message carved into it. It tells us about Andrew W. Mellon:
- 1855.ANDREW W. MELLON.1937
- FINANCIER.INDUSTRIALIST.STATESMAN
- SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY 1921–1932 AMBASSADOR TO GREAT BRITAIN 1932–1933
- FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 1937
- THIS FOUNTAIN IS A TRIBUTE FROM HIS FRIENDS
This message shows that Mellon was a successful businessman and a leader in government. It also highlights that he started the famous National Gallery of Art. The fountain was a gift from his friends to remember him.
Why Was the Fountain Built?
The fountain honors Andrew W. Mellon for his important work. He was the Secretary of the Treasury from 1921 to 1932. This means he was in charge of the country's money. Later, he was an ambassador to Great Britain.
Mellon loved art. He gave his amazing art collection to the nation. He also helped pay to build the National Gallery of Art. The fountain's design matches the classical style of the art museum.
Mellon's friends wanted to create a lasting memorial for him. They raised $300,000 to build this fountain. It was officially opened in 1952. The fountain stands where the old Saint James Hotel used to be.
How the Fountain Was Created
The idea for the fountain was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1947. They agreed to let Mellon's friends build the memorial. The design and location had to be approved by special art and planning groups. The U.S. government did not pay for the fountain.
The fountain's design, with its water flowing down, was inspired by a fountain in Genoa, Italy. Building it was a big project. Workers found an old tunnel underground that had to be filled with concrete. They also had to drive strong concrete poles deep into the ground. This made sure the fountain had a very stable base.
The largest bronze bowl was huge! It was so big that it had to be made in four pieces. These pieces were then carefully put together. The beautiful pink granite used in the fountain came from a quarry in Maine.
The zodiac signs on the fountain are placed in a special way. For example, the Aries sign faces east. On the first day of spring, the sun shines directly on the Aries sign. This shows a connection to the stars and seasons.
How the Fountain Is Today
In 1993, experts checked the fountain. They said it was "well maintained." This means it was being taken care of very well.
Artists Who Worked on the Fountain
Sidney Waugh
Sidney Waugh was the artist who designed the zodiac signs on the fountain. He was a talented sculptor. He also created sculptures for other important buildings in Washington, D.C. These include the National Archives and Records Administration and the Federal Reserve Board buildings.
See Also
- List of public art in Washington, D.C., Ward 2
Images for kids
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The Andrew W. Mellon Memorial Fountain in Washington, D.C.
