Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Preservation Recognition Award Honors the Morris Arboretum

by Shirley Hanson, Chestnut Hill Conservancy
Posted 1/21/22

Support from the William B. Dietrich Foundation made the project possible.  

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Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Preservation Recognition Award Honors the Morris Arboretum

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This award, presented at the Conservancy’s annual meeting, celebrates the Morris Arboretum’s restoration of the 105-year-old Step Fountain.  Designated as the official arboretum of Pennsylvania, its address is 100 East Northwestern Avenue in Philadelphia.  

The trio generating momentum to undertake and complete the restoration included: Scott Kreilick, Project Manager, CEO & Principal Conservator of Kreilick Construction; William Cullina, Director of the Morris Arboretum; and Thomas Wilson, the Family Director of the Facilities. Support from the William B. Dietrich Foundation made the project possible.  

The land was believed to be barren and unworkable. This idea crumbled when John T. Morris and his sister Lydia T. Morris purchased the site and launched its transformation.  

In 1887 their landscaping plan began to take shape. Lydia Moria commissioned the fountain in March 1916, perhaps as a memorial to her brother after his unexpected death. 

To design the fountain, she chose the prominent architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin. Today, his buildings stand as much-admired landmarks in Chestnut Hill and its surrounding communities.

At the age of 105 the fountain cried out for its restoration. Scott Kreilick collaborated with Pullman SST, Inc. for masonry and PondWorks for plumbing to focus on its restoration needs.

The restoration plan addressed many architectural and functional details and generated a lengthy list. Here is only a hint of the scope of the work.The plan called for “conserving original limestone including balustrade, lion heads and urns, as well as bluestone pavers and pedestrian steps on both sides of the bluestone fountain steps.”  The plan addressed “cleaning, crack and patch repair, and repointing of existing stonework.”

The replacement stone was “to be cut to mimic the original artistic look using the same high-end materials.” In addition, the work called for “new plumbing lines along with a 500-gallon cistern to collect water when the plumbing system is turned off.”

“The new circulation system is programmable for energy conservation.  It features water filtration to keep the water clear, greatly reducing or perhaps eliminating future use of abrasive chemicals.”

Today, the step fountain is one of the most popular and frequently photographed features within the garden.  Its compelling beauty reaches beyond Chestnut Hill to attract garden lovers in Philadelphia and in Montgomery and Bucks Counties.

The restored Step Fountain with its plantings speaks for itself. We invite you to visit the Morris Arboretum’s fountain whenever you require a refreshing recharge!