Dupont Circle Fountain Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Dupont Circle Fountain

Coordinates	38°54′33″N 77°02′30″W / 38.9092378°N 77.0416637°W / 38.9092378; -77.0416637

Dupont Circle Fountain
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property

Part of	Civil War Monuments in Washington, D.C.
NRHP reference No.	78000257
Added to NRHP	September 20, 1978

Location	Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., United States
Designer	Daniel Chester French (sculptor) Henry Bacon (architect) Piccirilli Brothers (carver) George A. Fuller Company (contractor)
Material	Marble Concrete (base)
Width	11.6 feet (3.5 m)
Height	16 feet (4.9 m)
Opening date	May 17, 1921
Dedicated to	Samuel Francis Du Pont

The Dupont Circle Fountain is a beautiful fountain in the middle of Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.. It is also known as the Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Dupont Memorial Fountain. This fountain honors Samuel Francis Du Pont, who was an important American naval officer. He was also part of the famous Du Pont family.

The fountain was built to replace an older statue of Du Pont from 1884. Henry Bacon designed the fountain, and Daniel Chester French sculpted it. It was officially opened in 1921. Important people like First Lady Florence Harding attended the ceremony.

This fountain is one of many Civil War monuments in Washington, D.C. These monuments were all added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The fountain is made of marble and has three special sculptures. It sits on a concrete base and is surrounded by an open area. The National Park Service takes care of the fountain and the park around it.

History of the Fountain
Design and Location
Images for kids
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History of the Fountain

Why the Fountain Was Built

In 1871, the United States Army Corps of Engineers started building Dupont Circle. It was first called Pacific Circle. In 1882, Congress changed its name and decided to build a memorial for Samuel Francis Du Pont. This was to honor his service in the Mexican–American War and the Civil War.

Du Pont helped make the Navy more modern. During the Civil War, he helped make the Union Blockade work well against the Confederacy. An early statue of Du Pont was put up in 1884.

A New Memorial for Du Pont

In the early 1900s, the Du Pont family wanted a nicer memorial. They had never really liked the first statue. Also, by 1909, the base of the statue began to sink and tilt. The family asked that no government money be used for the new memorial.

Workers installing the fountain in 1920.

In 1917, Congress agreed to replace the statue. The Du Pont family chose Henry Bacon and Daniel Chester French to design the new fountain. Bacon is famous for designing the Lincoln Memorial. French is known for sculpting the large statue of Abraham Lincoln inside the Lincoln Memorial.

The total cost to build the fountain was over $77,000. The design was approved in 1917, and work began soon after. The Piccirilli Brothers carved the fountain. They also carved the Lincoln statue. The George A. Fuller Company was the builder. In 1920, the old statue was moved to Rockford Park in Wilmington, Delaware. Later that year, the new fountain was installed.

Opening Day

The dedication ceremony in 1921.

The fountain was officially opened on May 17, 1921. The ceremony was simple but special. A temporary stand was set up for important guests. These guests included First Lady Florence Harding and Secretary of the Navy Edwin Denby. The United States Navy Band played music.

Du Pont's granddaughter, Sophie Du Pont Ford, removed the covers from the fountain. The band played the national anthem. Rear Admiral Purnell Frederick Harrington officially presented the fountain. Secretary Weeks accepted it on behalf of the government. Denby gave a speech praising Du Pont's service to his country. Three young girls, who were Du Pont's descendants, placed laurel wreaths in the water.

What Happened Later

The fountain was sometimes damaged by people. New hands were carved and put back on the sculptures. In 1948, the fountain was moved for a short time. This happened when a streetcar tunnel was built under Dupont Circle.

When the fountain was moved back two years later, its water system was replaced. At first, the pipes were not connected correctly. This was fixed the next year, and the fountain started working.

The Dupont Circle Fountain is one of many Civil War monuments in Washington, D.C. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It is also part of the Dupont Circle Historic District. In the late 1990s, the fountain was repaired by sculptor Constantine Seferlis. The National Park Service continues to care for it.

Design and Location

Water flowing over the figure representing the Sea.

The fountain is in the middle of Dupont Circle. This area is a park, a traffic circle, and a neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Many streets meet at Dupont Circle, like Connecticut Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.

The fountain is made of white marble and has two levels. The top part of the fountain is about 3 feet high and 11.6 feet wide. It weighs 15 tons. This top part is held up by a large shaft. This shaft has three sculptures carved into it. These sculptures are called the Arts of Ocean Navigation.

The three sculptures are about 8 feet tall and weigh 12 tons. They represent the Sea, the Stars, and the Wind.

The Sea is a female figure with long hair. She holds a boat and touches a seagull on her shoulder. Her foot rests on a dolphin.
The Stars is another female figure. She holds a globe and looks down.
The Wind is a male figure. He is covered with a ship sail. He holds a conch shell like a horn.

Water flows from the top part of the fountain into a large lower basin. On the edge of this lower basin, there is an inscription. It says: "THIS MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN REPLACES A STATUE ERECTED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES IN RECOGNITION OF HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES. SAMUEL FRANCIS DUPONT UNITED STATES NAVY 1803 – 1865."

The fountain sits on a round concrete base. This base has steps that lead to the plaza around the fountain. Paths go from the plaza to the edges of the park.