Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain

The Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain was originally installed in City Hall Park in lower Manhattan in 1871. The fountain was designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, who served as Assistant Architect, Associate Architect, and eventually Chief Architect of the New York City Parks Department. The fountain features a broad, multi-colored granite basin with semi-circular pools on both sides, and a central cascade. In 1920, the fountain was disassembled and shipped to Crotona Park in the Bronx to make way for a fountain by Thomas Hastings and Frederick MacMonnies. It remained in the Bronx location until 1998 when plans were approved to move the fountain to its original downtown site, a relocation that would coincide with the grand re-opening of the renovated park.

The fountain had suffered an unfortunate period of mistreatment and neglect while in the Bronx. All bronze elements and the central fountain stonework were missing. Shapeless gray blocks had been used to replace detailed granite capstones and several coping-stones from the lower basins were missing. In addition, all granite surfaces were covered with numerous coats of white over-painting in an attempt to mask graffiti. Fortunately, the Municipal Archives retained most of Mould’s original ink and watercolor design drawings for these lost elements.

EverGreene was contracted to perform a detailed condition assessment on the remaining fountain elements, as well research the remaining structures and long lost elements, developed plans and contract documents to restore and re-create them, and oversaw the work. The intention was for the fountain to serve as the centerpiece of the 2000 rededication of City Hall Park.

EverGreene salvaged the existing stones, cleaned them of all overpaint and graffiti, and replaced missing or broken stone elements with dutchman repairs and/or reproductions of the originals. Other lost features of bronze and granite were replicated using the original drawings and early photographs, including replica granite elements, replica terra cotta Minton tiles, and bronze gilded finials and gas lamps, which were also made operable with beveled glass lanterns. New water features and sprayers were created to replicate the original display. The entire complex assembly was successfully completed and has become one of the proud features of the park as a symbol of a restored city.