Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain

The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain is a memorial fountain located at The Ellipse near the White House. The structure features a marble bowl at its base with a central column and carved relief figures on its sides.

Congress authorized this memorial after two prominent American officials died when the Titanic sank in 1912. The fountain became the first commemorative structure built on The Ellipse as a tribute to these losses.

The fountain honors two men from different professional worlds through its sculptural details. You can see how the design brings together their distinct callings in stone and relief work.

The fountain sits easily accessible to visitors walking through the park and is located on the public grounds of the Ellipse. You can approach it from several pathways and find a quiet spot to pause among the park's open spaces.

The monument was originally designed to also serve as a watering place for the horses used by park police. This dual purpose of memorial and working fountain shows how the two roles existed together for years.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1913

Creator: Thomas Hastings, Daniel Chester French

Height: 3.7 m

Made from material: marble, limestone

GPS coordinates: 38.89527,-77.03746

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48