Capitol Fountains

August 30, 2009: There are only a handful of water features in the vicinity of the United States Capitol.

The Senate Garage Fountain, that dominates the approach from North Capitol Street, deserves a better name. [The fountain sits on top of the Senate parking garage.]

Two towers of the East Building of the National Gallery frame a view of the Washington Monument:

Frederick Law Olmsted designed, and oversaw the construction of, the Summer House to provide drinking water and seating for Capitol visitors. It is tucked into the grounds northwest of the U.S. Senate. On one side is a man-made grotto lacking only a statue of the Virgin!









The fountain at the base of the west front of the Capitol is now as close as tourists get to the building. Before 9/11, anyone could climb the steps to the west terrace for a tremendous view down Pennsylvania Avenue or the Mall. Now the view requires connections and lots and lots of money.









In recent years, potted palms grace the west front terraces in the summer. This year's flower beds are all red: canna, salvia splendens and wax leaf begonias. A more traditional red-white-and-blue planting is at the foot of the Garfield Monument: red and white petunias, blue salvia and red canna.






















Frederick August Bartholdi created the Bartholdi Fountain for Philadelphia's Centennial Exhibition in 1876. Washington DC has had no end of plumbing problems ever since the Corps of Engineers changed the chemistry of the city's drinking water. The Bartholdi Fountain is still in the process of being replumbed and restored. The surrounding gardens are the best in Washington.




























The Neptune Fountain in front of the Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress is the photographer's favorite.