One of Ventnor’s oldest, most venerable icons.
For the past one hundred years, this historic fountain has adorned the front lawn of the old Ventnor Water Works building.
This area is now home to Ventnor’s Department of Public Works, at Winchester & Cornwall Ave.
Public Water Works Building and it’s most impressive centerpiece, the Water Fountain.
Both the building and fountain were completed in 1923, built by Joseph L. Sweigard & Co. of Philadelphia.
The fountain hasn’t flowed for the last 50+ years.
A small group formed to address that issue. They call themselves the Ventnor Fountain Friends and they’re mounting an ‘awareness’ campaign.
Ventnor Fountain Friends Officers
- Dawn Burke Sena President
- Tina Ercole LoBiondo Vice President
- Dave Rumsey Secretary
- Barbara Sullivan Treasurer
The Mayor and Commissioners enthusiastically approved and gave me the green light.
Dave Rumsey
We wanted to spotlight the fountain’s 100th anniversary.
Awareness is one part of the equation. The rest is money.
‘We’re planning a much more robust fundraising program in 2024,’ says VFF President and founding member Dawn Burke Sena.
That program will include some targeted major donor ‘asks’ as well as more general audience appeals.
Plans in the works to incorporate benches with inscribed memorial plaques, and ‘tribute’ paving bricks.
The group plans to explore various public and private grants offered through state and local government programs as well as private institutions and other foundational resources.
“The more the word gets out, and VFF continues to reach its goals, I’m convinced the money will start to flow in,” she says. “And once the money starts to flow, the fountain will too!
Let it FLOW!”
For more information, visit VentnorFountainFriends.org
Hi Sherri – thank you so much for sharing. VFF are so appreciative in highlighting our mission to “Let It Flow” for generations to come!
Tina Ercole LoBiondo
Glad you like it Tina!
Thanks, DBB, for running the recent article on the Ventnor Fountain Friends’ plans to raise funds and awareness around the fountain rebuild project. Quick clarification: the author used a quote by me, saying “the Mayor and Commissioners enthusiastically approved and gave me the green light,” but provided no context. I wanted to make clear that the “green light” given to me by the city’s leaders was the idea to light the fountain, marking its 100th anniversary. The fountain project, itself has been a true group effort, spearheaded by our group’s founding president, Dawn Sena, along with VP Tina Lobiondo, Treasurer Barbara Sullivan and myself. Teamwork makes the dream work! :)