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Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain

Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain is a memorial fountain in President's Park in Washington, specifically in the northwest part of the Ellipse, at the western junction of Ellipse Road NW and E Street NW, south of the White House. Designed by the architect and executed by sculptor Daniel Chester French, it was inaugurated to commemorate the deaths of Archibald Butt and Francis Davis Millet. Butt was a military aide to President William Howard Taft, while Millet was a journalist, painter, and Butt’s close friend and roommate. Both men died in the Titanic sinking on the night of 14 April.

Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain with a shallow stone bowl, carved inscriptions, and an octagonal base in a pebbled basin.
The Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain features a shallow upper bowl with carved inscriptions and a decorated octagonal base.
November 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain with a stone figure on a central pillar and water flowing into a circular basin.
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain features a sculpted figure on a tall central pillar surrounded by a circular basin.
© NPS Photo · Public domain
Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain standing in a grassy median with a tall rectangular stone shaft and circular basin
The Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain photographed in a landscaped traffic circle with trees and roads in the background.
January 2006 © · Public domain
Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain with a light-colored central pillar, relief figure, and broad stone basin.
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain in President\'s Park, showing its central pillar and basin surrounded by trees.
May 2012 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain inscription on a stone basin with gently bubbling water
Detail of the Butt–Millet Memorial Fountain showing the inscribed stone basin and water.
May 2012 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleButt–Millet Memorial Fountain
TypeMemorial fountain

Historical context

Commemorated peopleFrancis Davis Millet and Archibald Willingham Butt
Associated eventSinking of the RMS Titanic
Date of associated eventApril 15, 1912
PurposeTo commemorate Francis Davis Millet and Archibald Willingham Butt, who died in the sinking of the Titanic

Creator

SculptorDaniel Chester French
ArchitectThomas Hastings
Designed byThomas Hastings and Daniel Chester French

Discovery and provenance

Dedication ceremonyDedicated without ceremony
DonorsMembers of the foreign diplomatic corps, several high government officials, and William Howard Taft
PatronsJohn Dustin Archbold, Henry Bacon, Daniel Burnham, Champ Clark, Kenyon Cox, Henry Frick, Cass Gilbert, and Jean Jules Jusserand
TreasurerCharles J. Bell of the American Security and Trust Company
Fundraising leadersCharles D. Hilles and Colonel Spencer Cosby
CostJust over $3,000
Erected byFriends of Francis Davis Millet and Archibald Willingham Butt
Dedication dateOctober 25, 1913
Final design planA fountain with a gray granite column and two bas-relief figures
Original memorial proposalA bronze tablet or plaque
Legislation passed HouseAugust 23, 1912
Legislation passed SenateAugust 12, 1912
Senate resolution introducedMay 16, 1912 by Senator Augustus Octavius Bacon of Georgia
Authorized byU.S. Congress; signed into law by President William Howard Taft on August 24, 1912
Construction startJune 18, 1913

Physical characteristics

Relief figuresTwo low bas-relief figures on the column
DimensionsBasin pedestal width 2.4 meters
Water featuresFour globes in the bowl emit jets of water that cascade over the rim into the shallow basin
ColumnGray granite column rising from the center of the bowl; neoclassical
BasinWide golden-brown Tennessee marble bowl with a shallow basin below
BaseOctagonal gray granite base
Height12 feet (3.7 m)

Iconography and meaning

North reliefA woman holding a brush and palette, representing the fine arts
South reliefA man in armor and helmet holding a shield, symbolizing military valor
Intended useDesigned to be a source of drinking water for horses used by park police patrols

Location and ownership

Approval requiredThe President and the Commission of Fine Arts had to approve the location and design
Excluded sitesThe Capitol grounds, the Library of Congress, and the White House grounds
SiteFederal land in the District of Columbia
Initial site decisionThe Ellipse
Nearby landmarksThe First Division Monument is to the northwest; the White House south lawn is across the street to the north and northeast
Specific locationWestern junction of Ellipse Road NW and E Street NW, south of the White House
LocationNorthwestern part of the Ellipse in President's Park, Washington, D.C., United States

History and restoration

Planning historyThe memorial commission first considered a bronze tablet, then added a fountain, and by late August 1912 eliminated the tablet in favor of a fountain; by April 1913 a shaft with two bas-relief figures had been added
FundraisingBy mid-May 1912, several thousand dollars had been donated by members of the foreign diplomatic corps and some high-ranking American officials
Initial public expectationPress reports in 1912 indicated Taft planned an elaborate dedication ceremony
Dedication contextThe fountain was dedicated after Taft had lost the 1912 presidential election and was no longer president

Appearance

InscriptionIn memory of Francis Davis Millet – 1846–1912 – and Archibald Willingham Butt – 1865–1912. This monument has been erected by their friends with the sanction of Congress.