| Abstrakt: |
This article explores the philanthropic work of Henry D. Cogswell, a 19th-century San Francisco dentist and temperance advocate who was largely unsuccessful in his effort to permanently place his donated drinking fountains in cities across the U.S. His gifts were soon so despised that they were often removed from the streets and parks of American cities. Though public drinking fountains were considered a desirable amenity, many cities rejected Cogswell's offer, and those that did accept them quickly regretted their decision. Of the fountains that were built, most were vandalized, destroyed, or removed. There were multiple reasons for the hostility. Not only did cities object to his aesthetic taste, they resented that they still had to make significant financial contributions to the "free" fountain, they suspected Cogswell's motives, and many objected to what they considered to be Cogswe11% condescending message. Of the over 50 drinking fountains Cogswell donated to cities, only five survive today But some good did come of it. The unhappy experience made cities more aware of the need for public drinking fountains and motivated them to develop policies or establish art commissions to prevent donations from being accepted with minimal scrutiny in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
