Union Square Drinking Fountain, Bronze sculpture and drinking fountain in Union Square Park, New York City.
The Union Square Drinking Fountain is a bronze sculpture and functional water fountain located at the southern end of Union Square Park in New York City. It depicts a standing woman holding a baby alongside a child, mounted on an octagonal Swedish red granite pedestal fitted with four lion head spouts.
The fountain was installed in 1881 after being donated by Daniel Willis James and Theodore Roosevelt Sr as a gift to promote public health and access to clean drinking water. The donation reflected the era's focus on improving urban health through better water access.
The fountain embodies the temperance movement of the 19th century, when advocates promoted water consumption as an alternative to alcohol. Visitors can still see this social message reflected in the sculpture of the woman and children.
The fountain sits at the southern end of Union Square Park and can be reached through multiple subway lines that converge at Union Square station. The water remains functional for public use.
The bronze sculpture was created by German sculptor Adolf von Donndorf while the architectural elements were designed by J. Leonard Corning. This collaboration between two artists resulted in a work that combines artistic and structural excellence in an unexpected way.
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