(White Memorial Fountain), (sculpture).

(White Memorial Fountain), (sculpture).

Flynt, W. N., designer.

Bascetta, John, sculptor.

W. H. Flynt Granite Company, fabricator.

(White Memorial Fountain), (sculpture).

Esculapinus, (sculpture).

White Medallion, (sculpture).

Serpent of Moses, (sculpture).

Healing Serpent, (sculpture).

1891. Dedicated Sept. 6, 1892. Rededicated Sept. 6, 1992.

Digital Reference:

Fountain: granite; Plaques: marble.

Esculapinus plaque: approx. H. 24 in. x W. 18 in.; Serpent of Moses plaque: approx. H. 18 in. x W. 12 in.; White Medallion plaque: approx. Diam. 18 in.; Fountain pool: approx. Diam. 30 ft.

(Top left corner of Esculapinus plaque:) ESCULAPINUS unsigned

A fountain composed of four basins that increase in size from top to bottom. The largest, lower basin is octagonal with a lion's head cut in each angle and water discharging from each lion's mouth. The upper basins are circular. The bottom fountain pool is circular. Three bas-relief plaques are set within the shaft between the bottom fountain pool and the large lower basin. The "White Medallion" plaque depicts a bust of Dr. Roderick A. White and his wife, Elizabeth Hungerford White, behind him. Both busts are in proper left profile. The "Esculapinus" plaque depicts the god of medicine, standing barefoot, his head in proper right profile. His proper right elbow rests on a post and his proper right hand holds a scroll up to his beard. He wears a shawl draped below his chest, and his proper left hand rests on his hip. The "Serpent of Moses" or "Healing Serpent" plaque depicting a snake entwined around a branch.

Portrait male -- White, Roderick Adams -- Bust

Portrait female -- White, Elizabeth Hungerford -- Bust

Occupation -- Medicine -- Doctor

Mythology -- Classical -- Esculapinus

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Medicine

Animal -- Reptile -- Snake

Object -- Written Matter -- Scroll

Outdoor Sculpture -- Connecticut -- Simsbury

Administered by Simsbury Historical Society, 800 Hopmeadow Street, Box 2, Massacoh Plantation, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

Located Adjacent to 313 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, Connecticut

The fountain commemorates Dr. Rockerick Adams White (1809-1887), a physician who served Simsbury from 1842 until his death. The fountain was erected in his memory at the bequest of his wife, Elizabeth Hungerford White. It was designed by W. H. Flynt and fabricated by his company, W. H. Flynt Granite Company. The fountain was shut down in 1984 because of a lack of water, and renovated in 1991, largely as a result of the efforts of local architect, Jon Powell. At the time of the renovation, a new "Serpent of Moses" panel was made by John Bascetta of Norfolk, Connecticut, to match the missing original. The fountain was rededicated on the 100th anniversary of its dedication. For related reading see "The History of the Memorial Fountain and Its Dedication," Hartford, CT: Case, Lockwood & Brainard. IAS files contain a newspaper article dated Sept. 6, 1892 discussing the dedication and a program from the Simsbury Historical Society for the 1992 rededication.

The inscription on a nearby plaque reads: IN MEMORY OF/RODERICK A. WHITE M.D./WHO DIED DEC. 2, 1887/The beloved physician of/this town for nearly 50 years, this fountain is/ERECTED BY HIS WIFE/ELIZABETH HUNGERFORD WHITE/DEFUNCTUS ADHUC MINISTRAT.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Connecticut survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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