Editor's note: this article has been updated to include information on a private donation which will defray the cost to remediate not only the Cass Gilbert Fountain, but the Fountain on the corner of Olmstead Road and West Lane. In addition, landscaping improvements will be made to the Peter Parley Schoolhouse.
Why is our beloved Cass Gilbert Fountain currently covered? The answer lies in its urgent need for repairs. First Selectman Rudy Marconi informed HamletHub that the Town has enlisted the services of Conserve Art in Hamden, CT along with their Directing Conservator, Francis Miller. They are assessing the Fountain to determine the necessary steps to restore it to its former glory.
On Tuesday, Ridgefield voters approved a $168 million operating budget which included appropriating $390,019 for the planning, design, acquisition and construction of Cass Gilbert Fountain repairs and Olmstead Lane Fountain repairs.
First Selectman Rudy Marconi said that Miller advised against filling the Cass Gilbert Fountain with water as it requires a thorough assessment before any repairs can be made. The fountain will likely be covered for a week while Miller does his analysis.
Marconi is calling a private donor an "Angel" for contributing to the beautification and remediation of both the Cass Gilbert Fountain and the fountain on the corner of Olmstead Lane and West Lane. In addition, this individual will contribute funds to beautify the landscaping around the Peter Parley Schoolhouse. "About half [the funds] will be in private donations," said Marconi who told HamletHub that the Angel donor appreciates both fountains as well as the Schoolhouse as the welcoming entrances to our town, serving as the gateway to our community and feels these landmarks should be presented accordingly.
Marconi says the fountain's condition has deteriorated significantly, with marble chipping and cracking. “It's decayed to the point that if we don’t fix it now, it could fall apart,” he says. According to Marconi, the fountain's state is so critical that failure to address it now could lead to its collapse.
As far as a timeline of Fountain repairs, we just don’t know yet. It depends on the extent of the damage. Miller may even need to uplift a portion of the Fountain and bring to his Hamden shop. And yes, the summer of 2024 in Ridgefield, CT may be sans the Cass Gilbert Fountain. Stay tuned for updates.
Cass Gilbert, a wealthy, talented and successful architect from New York purchased a summer property here in Ridgefield in 1907. “As a gesture of kindness and goodwill to the town of Ridgefield, Cass Gilbert designed and donated the classic fountain that has graced the intersection of Main Street and West Lane since 1916,” KTM&HC writes on their website. Read more about the history of Cass Gilbert and the Gilbert family here.