Project: Fountain. MSP Fountain Manufacturer: Robert Woods Railing, Architectural & Ornamental Iron Works, Ridge Road below Spring Garden St., Philadelphia. Purchased May 21, 1889. (Postcard)Chester County Hospital in the background. (Click to enlarge.)Year?Click to enlarge detail.Original 1889 Fountain awaiting restoration1889 ORIGINAL IRON FENCE IN 2005. Click to enlarge detail. Photo: JAS September 16, 2005A shield of yellow bricks in honor of the Union Veteran Legion. Yes, needs attention. Click to enlarge detail. Photo: JAS September 16, 2005Fountain Dig: Anne Walters, Allan Steenhusen, and Jeff Beitel (experts in landscaping, historic preservation, and architecture) discuss unearththing the fountain’s underpinnings.Fountain Dig: Getting closer to the truth. The three experts wait with, as they say, baited breath.Fountain Dig: Aha!—what a mess. Out of five tiers, the basin shown above is the first and largest. The next three recovered tiers are safely stored, waiting restoration. The fifth tier is missing and slated for replication.Fountain Dig: The bottom. Anne’s tape measure says the investigative excavation is about 4 feet deep.
