Look closely at the massive, ornate fountain before you. This is the Catholic Total Abstinence Union Fountain and it is a monument to a time when the United States was wrestling with the dangers of alcohol. This incredible, 100-foot-wide structure was built in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The fountain was commissioned by the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, a religious organization that advocated for total abstinence from alcohol. It is a testament to the power of religion and the virtues of temperance, reflecting the powerful beliefs of the Catholic community at that time. It was a symbol of the fight against alcohol, a reminder of the evils of drinking and its impact on society. The fountain was designed by German-born sculptor Herman Kirn who originally wanted to feature a monument to the Irish-Catholic contribution to American history. But the committee chose a theme focusing on Moses, the patriarch of the Israelites, striking the rock to produce water for his people. They believed that Moses symbolised salvation, and that the temperance movement was a source of salvation for the Irish-Catholic community. At the heart of the fountain is a 15-foot statue of Moses, holding the Ten Commandments in his left hand. He stands on a marble mound that represents the Rock of Horeb, which God instructed Moses to strike with his staff to bring forth water for the Israelites. This fountain, with its 16 drinking fountains, was meant to be a source of life-giving water, both physically and spiritually. The grandeur of this historical monument, now standing in Fairmount Park, is a reminder of a time when the fight against alcohol was at the forefront of the country’s social agenda.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to