The City of Savannah’s Park and Tree Department has officially launched the first major restoration of the iconic Forsyth Park Fountain since 1988. The project was approved by City Council during its regular meeting on Thursday, May 22.  

Although the fountain remains operational, it requires critical restoration to preserve its structural and historic integrity.  The City has awarded the restoration contract to Landmark Preservation LLC, not to exceed $650,000.  

City staff anticipate the fountain will be fully removed from park in early June, with restoration expected to be completed by early fall, pending any unforeseen delays. This marks the first time in more than 100 years the fountain will be absent from Forsyth Park. In preparation, the City staff has cleared the special events calendar from the surrounding area during the restoration period.  

Landmark Preservation will work with Alabama-based subcontractor Robinson Iron Works to carefully disassemble, recast, and restore the fountain’s original cast-iron components. Additional restoration will also include the fountain basin’s masonry, surrounding fence, water pumphouse, plumbing, and electrical systems.  

The Forsyth Park Fountain was originally conceived as a focal point of the landscaped park and has undergone several modifications since its original installation.  

Modeled after a design by J.P. Iron Foundry near Paris, France—the fountain was ordered from the Janes, Beebe & Co. catalog as “Model #5.” Installation began July 1858 and included enlarging the pool area. The fountain was first turned on in August of that year.