Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain |
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| Water Sculpture | |
The fountain in 2008
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| Artist |
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| Year | 1975 |
| Type |
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| Medium | Stainless steel |
| Dimensions | 3.7 m × 4.6 m × 3.7 m (12 ft × 15 ft × 12 ft) |
| Condition | "Well maintained" (1993) |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| 45°31′08″N 122°42′20″W / 45.51878°N 122.70559°W | |
The Frank E. Beach Memorial Fountain, also called Water Sculpture, is a cool fountain and sculpture made of stainless steel. It was created in 1975 by artist Lee Kelly and architect James Howell. You can find it in Washington Park's International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon.
This fountain remembers Frank E. Beach. He was the person who first called Portland the "City of Roses." He also suggested starting the yearly Rose Festival. The Beach family paid for the fountain, which cost about $15,000. Today, it is part of Portland's public art collection.
About the Fountain
This fountain is an abstract piece of art. This means it uses shapes and forms to show ideas, rather than looking exactly like something real. It is located in a lower area on the west side of the International Rose Test Garden. This garden is in Washington Park in southwest Portland.
The sculpture is made of shiny stainless steel. It is about 12 feet tall, 15 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. It has three tall posts standing up, which hold two posts lying across them. There are also two smaller posts that stand by themselves.
Next to the fountain, there is a special sign. It says:
In memory of Frank E. Beach, 1853–1934
who christened Portland "The Rose City"
and suggested the annual Rose Festival
The artist, Lee Kelly, said the artwork is "a symbol of human involvement with the annual renewal of nature." This means it represents how people connect with nature's yearly changes. Some writers have said the crossed parts of the fountain look like old buildings or even like Stonehenge. People also say the fountain makes a nice, calming sound of water, especially on hot summer days.
How the Fountain Was Made
Lee Kelly created this sculpture to honor Frank E. Beach. Frank E. Beach was important because he gave Portland its nickname, "The Rose City." He also came up with the idea for the yearly Rose Festival. James Howell helped as the architect for the project. Other people also helped build it.
The fountain was a gift from Frank L. Beach and the family of Ruth B. Mehlin. They wanted to honor their father, Frank E. Beach. Frank L. Beach first suggested building a memorial in 1973.
In May 1974, Lee Kelly's design was chosen. Six artists had submitted their ideas, and each received $200 to make small models. Kelly showed his model at a special event at the Portland Art Museum. All the proposed designs were shown there for a short time.
Newspapers described Kelly's plan. They said it would have "two 12-foot-high stainless steel arches, joined at right angles." These arches would be around a 12-foot square pool with water jets. There would also be paths and benches nearby. On June 14, a special ceremony was held to start building the memorial. This was part of the Rose Festival.
In March 1975, it was announced that water would "gently fall from a pair of steel pillars" into the pool. The three benches around the fountain would also be made of stainless steel. The artist and the garden's manager thought about adding waterlilies to the pool. They also considered soft lighting to make the columns glow at night.
The sculpture was officially opened on June 14. City parks commissioner Mildred Schwab and Frank L. Beach dedicated it. This happened just before the Rose Festival's 63rd annual knighting ceremony.
In 1993, experts checked the artwork and said it was "well maintained." At that time, the City of Portland's Metropolitan Arts Commission managed it. Now, it is part of the City of Portland and Multnomah County Public Art Collection. For many years, it was hard for people in wheelchairs to reach the fountain. But in the 2010s, the stairs were changed to sloped paths, making it easier for everyone to visit.
