The Kearny Park Fountain was dedicated on May 30, 1901. This fountain, a gift of the great local benefactor Mr. Charles Hackley to the people of Muskegon and dedicated to Phil Kearny, is made of cast iron and zinc. In time, as often happens to historic fountains, the pool was filled with soil to make a planter. The cast zinc figure at the top was removed and placed in a different fountain that also became a planter.
This project involved the complete disassembly of the cast iron fountain, the casting of new goat heads that spew water from the upper bowl, the return and restoration of the original zinc figure, weld repairs and Epoxy priming of all iron and coating with silicone alkyd black paint, provision with all stainless steel fasteners, and the forming of a new concrete pool within the cast iron exterior pool liner as originally designed.
Condition of the Cast Iron and Concrete Pool.
Condition of the Buried Cast Iron Pool Sides.
Excavation the Cast Iron Pool Sides from Soil of the “Planter.”
Final Excavation of the Cast Iron Pool.
Fountains Conservator Tom Podnar Hoisting the Iron Bowl for Work.
Missing Cast Iron Designs were Cast from Molds Taken from Existing Design.
New Bronze Goat Heads that Adorned the Bowl were cast. Here the Bronze is Chemically Patinated with Heat.
Assembly of the Cleaned and Repaired Cast Iron Pool Sides are Checked for Fit in the Shop Before Painting.
The Kearny Park Fountain was Completely Taken Apart and All Individual Castings were Cleaned, Repaired as Needed and Painted. Here, some are in Epoxy Primer after Abrasive Blasting.
The Fountain was Completely Taken Apart and All Individual Castings were Cleaned, Repaired as Needed and Painted. Here, some are in Final Urethane Coating after Priming.
A New Concrete Pool Bottom was Poured and Waterproofed. The Restored Cast Iron Sides Are Arranged for Installation.Bolting the Restored Cast Iron Sides Together and to the Concrete.
Tom Podnar and Assistant Form the Concrete Pool Walls.
Tom Podnar Installs the New Bronze Goat Heads He Cast.
Finished and Installed.
Restored Iron Bowl.
Cast Iron Fountain Restored and Rebuilt.
Restored Cast Iron Bowl and Pedestal of the Kearny Park Fountain.
