Annapolis, Maryland

Historic Annapolis, home to the Maryland State Capital and the US Naval Academy, has only one memorial fountain. Sited on Church Circle, the Reverend William Scott Southgate Memorial Fountain was dedicated in 1901. The Indiana limestone structure features an Anglican cross with Gothic tracery atop a plinth with lion’s heads that feed the granite basin below. Its elegance and restrained scale add to the intimacy and historic feel of the traffic filled turnaround.

The city chose to restore the fountain in time for Annapolis’s 300th anniversary. Although in generally sound condition, the fountain had suffered from deterioration and weathering of the limestone that had lead to loss of sculptural detailing. The granite copings surrounding the pool were held together with iron cramps that had rusted, cracking the stone and allowing the coping to open. As a result, the pool no longer held water. Previous attempts at repairs had left an unsightly pool paint in the basin lining. Upon inspection, it was found that the narrow stone cross was loose on its mountings and subject to damage from wind forces.

Conservation Solutions, Inc. (CSI) was selected by the client as the only competent responsive firm able to perform a treatment of the fountain to the Maryland Historical Society’s exacting standards. A thorough list of deficiencies was developed with the client to ensure maximum application of their limited funds to achieve the goals of preserving the fountain. The coatings were removed, the iron cramps were replaced with stainless steel and all stone surfaces were carefully cleaned. The cross was hoisted and a means of stabilizing it was performed following engineered plans. The basin was then waterproofed and is now functioning as was originally intended.

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