American FountainStratford-upon-AvonIn 1878 the Dean of Westminster visited the US and was the guest
American FountainStratford-upon-AvonIn 1878 the Dean of Westminster visited the US and was the guest of Mr George William Childs, a well known printer, bookseller, publisher and newspaper proprietor, who had recently donated a window to Westminster Abbey commemorating the poets George Herbert and William Gowper. During the meeting Childs expressed the wish to donate a window dedicated to Shakespeare ‘as evidence of goodwill between the two nations having the fame and works of Shakespeare as a common heritage’. Over the following years the plans were discussed and eventually it was decided that the memorial should be in the form of a drinking fountain which 'would be a useful gift both to man and beast’. It was to be given to the Corporation of Stratford-upon-Avon and placed on the market square on Rother Street. It was agreed that Stratford-upon-Avon would arrange the supply of water and of light at night. In 1886-7, to designs by the artist Jethro Anstice Cossins of Birmingham, a staged clock tower was built, incorporating at the base, a horse and cattle trough, a lower trough for dogs and sheep, and a drinking fountain. The tower was dedicated to William Shakespeare but as its inauguration on 17 October 1887 coincided with Queen Victoria’s Jubilee that too was commemorated. The 'imposing ceremony’ was performed by the actor Henry Irving who read out a specially commissioned poem by Dr Oliver Wendell Holmes, and he delivered a speech praising Mr Childs’ generosity and recalling Shakespeare’s contribution to English-speaking culture. A telegram from Queen Victoria was also read out stating that the Queen 'is pleased to hear of the handsome gift from Mr Child to Stratford-upon-Avon’. The ceremony was attended by a large number of distinguished guests including the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, the Earl de la Warr, the American Minister Dr Phelps, the author Bram Stoker, and the Mayors of Leamington, of Warwick, of Coventry and of Lichfield. The official party marched in procession to the fountain, where a large marquee had been erected. Afterwards, the official party went for lunch in the Town Hall, where toasts were given to Queen Victoria , Shakespeare, Mr Childs and Mr Irving. A detailed story of the 'Memorial Fountain to Shakespeare’, edited by L Clarke Davis, including transcripts of newspaper articles, was published in 1890. The memorial has since also been referred to as The American Fountain, or The Shakespeare Memorial Fountain. -- source link