Bartholdi Park Behind the Scenes

The Bartholdi Fountain was restored in 1986. The rusted supporting bolts and rods and the plumbing and wiring were replaced. Dozens of layers of paint were sandblasted from the cast-iron surface, which was then given a new protective coating. The basins were repaired and leveled so that the water now falls evenly. The topcoat of paint was renewed in 1996. Recently the fountain was deconstructed and shipped to a foundry in Alabama where it was renovated and reconstructed. The AOC also relaid the entire foundation, stone slab and supporting plumbing. The fully restored fountain returned to operation in 2011.