Description

TQ 2881 SW PORTMAN SQUARE

55/102 Hamilton Memorial Drinking
Fountain

II

Drinking fountain. 1878, donated by Lady Hamilton through the Metropolitan Drinking
Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. Polished pink granite. Rectangular base
with plinth having spouts and semi-circular basins on 3 faces and a tall column
surmounted by an urn. Inscribed to the memory of Sir James Hamilton. Religious
inscriptions, some on a small bronze plaque, bear witness to the evangelical
dimension of the Association's activities at the height of its philanthropic
functions. Founded in 1859 the Association provided free fresh water to many humans
and beasts at a time when ale and spirits were easier to obtain than water and most
supplies contaminated. Lady Hamilton designed the acorn jets found on many
fountains of the period after-public comments were made about the unseemliness of
water flowing from the mouths of animals. The Association provided a catalogue of
functional designs but some wealthy patrons used their own.

Listing NGR: TQ2812781274

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q27082218

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)