Friends of Lincoln Park

About the Restoration

The first phase of our master plan, initiated nine years ago, began with the complete restoration of the 1870 French fountain, forged in France and one of only three such fountains known to have come to America.

Portland based Mohr & Seredin Landscape Architects defined the reconstruction of the fountain and surrounding granite basin, and converted the fountain's plumbing to modern energy-and water-efficient standards.

The cast iron fountain was rebuilt and preserved by Sculpture Conservator Jonathan Taggart of Georgetown, Maine, whose efforts included locating a rare replacement for the top spire, which had been missing for too long a time. This phase also included the entire replacement of the park's walkways and paths by the City of Portland.

Photo of Sculpture Conservator Jonathan Taggart working on the wrought-iron fence on a sunny afternoon
Jonathan Taggart hard at work restoring the fence.
Phase II

“The Fence That Said NO To 150 Maine Winters” calls for the restoration of the cast iron fence, granite pillars, and elaborate gates, which were forged by the original Portland Company in 1866. The City released $400,000 in CIP funds to begin this project, and work began on December 11, 2020. This work has continued, section by section, with the Congress Street side expected to be complete in 2022. Work will continue in sections along Pearl Street and then Federal Street. Funding will have to be raised privately and publicly until the work has been completed.

Photo of Sculpture Conservator Jonathan Taggart working on the wrought-iron fence on a sunny afternoon
Have you seen this banner?

To further the funding of the fence restoration, we have an ongoing campaign under way to add more “World’s Fair” six-foot cast iron benches to the Park. We have installed several of these benches so far, and we are looking for generous donors to sponsor more benches – with their own personalized plaques – for $5,000. If you or someone you know would like to know more about dedicating a Lincoln Park bench, please have a look at our bench fundraising campaign page for details.

Please don't be shy about visiting our Donate section and pressing the right key, or mailing a generous check to:

Friends of Lincoln Park
168 York Street
Portland, ME 04101

Many, many thanks!

Frank E. Reilly
President, Friends of Lincoln Park

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Friends of Lincoln Park Fountain Logo
Friends of Lincoln Park • 168 York Street • Portland, Maine, 04101