Corning Fountain facts for kids
The Corning Fountain is a beautiful fountain with amazing sculptures. You can find it in Bushnell Park, in Hartford, Connecticut. It's a special landmark that tells a story about the city's past.
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Discovering the Corning Fountain
The Corning Fountain is a tall, two-tiered structure. It stands about 28 feet high. The fountain is made from strong materials like bronze and granite. It features many detailed sculptures of people and animals. Water flows gracefully over its edges, creating a soothing sound.
Who Built the Fountain?
A talented artist named J. Massey Rhind designed this wonderful fountain. It was officially opened in 1899. The fountain was a gift to the city from John J. Corning. He wanted to honor his father, John Benton Corning (1811–1896). His father was a businessman in Hartford. He used to run a grist mill, which is a place where grain is ground into flour, right on the spot where the fountain now stands.
Exploring the Fountain's Design
The fountain has two main levels, or tiers. It is decorated with many interesting figures. These figures represent the history and symbols of the Hartford area.
Native American Figures
The fountain features sculptures of Native American people. Around the lower part of the fountain, there are four bronze figures of Saukiog braves. The Saukiog were a Native American group who lived in this area long ago.
- One brave holds a spear.
- Another wears a feathered headdress and looks out at the horizon.
- A third brave is shown raising a tomahawk.
- The fourth brave holds a peacepipe and makes a gesture of peace.
Higher up, around the center of the fountain, you'll see four bronze maidens. These figures represent the Oneida people, another Native American group.
Animal Symbols
At the very top of the fountain is a bronze figure of a stag. A stag is a male deer. This stag is a special symbol for Hartford. The city's name, Hartford, comes from "hart," which is an old word for a stag. Below the upper part of the fountain, there are four animal heads. These used to spout water. They include a catamount (a type of wild cat), a bear, a fox, and a beaver. At the very bottom, below the lower basin, there are four lion heads. These also act as water spouts.
A Special Message
If you look closely at the base of the fountain, you will see a bronze plaque. This plaque has a special message carved into it. It reads: "THIS FOUNTAIN IS / ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE / TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN B. CORNING BY HIS SON / JOHN J. CORNING 1899." This message reminds everyone why the fountain was built and who it honors.
Images for kids
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A general view of the Corning Fountain.
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A close-up view of one of the Saukiog brave sculptures.
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The top of the fountain, showing the stag sculpture.
