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ELI BATES FOUNTAIN
Chicago lumber merchant Eli Bates (1806-1881) designated funds in his will to create a decorative fountain in Lincoln Park; the result was the Eli Bates Fountain. This joyful and whimsical fountain with its bronze Storks at Play sculpture designed by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) with the assistance of Frederick William MacMonnies (1863-1937) is the centerpiece of the Lincoln Park Conservatory Formal Garden. The fountain was installed in its current location in 1887.
ABOUT THE 1999 RESTORATION
Project Summary:
- Restoration, cleaning, and coating of Storks at Play sculptures and re-casting of a missing cat-tails sculpture at the fountain's center.
- Replacement of fountain lighting system and water jets. Replacement of old iron and steel plumbing with brass pipes.
- Addition of water recirculation system.
- Tuck-pointing and cleaning of stone fountain basin.
Restoration Status: Completed in 1999.
Storks At Play Restoration Main Donor: Borg Warner Corporation
Final Project Cost: $232,500
Restoration Project Credits: The City of Chicago, Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Conservancy, Harry Weese Associates.
Re-dedication Ceremony: May 1999
For more information on the Eli Bates Fountain and its sculptors visit:
www.cpdit01.com/resources/planning-and-development.sculptures/?action=home.
To plan a visit or for more information about the Eli Bates Fountain, please click on the links to the left.
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