Brewer Fountain (Boston, Massachusetts)

 water, fountain, sculpture

The first piece of public art on the Common was the Brewer Fountain, donated by Gardner Brewer in 1868. The fountain is a bronze replica of a French original that won a gold medal at the 1855 Paris World’s Fair. The figures represent mythological figures associated with water: Neptune, Amphitrite, Asis, and Galatea.

The attractions on the plaza are part of a broader effort spearheaded by the Friends of the Public Garden, which also advocates for Boston Common. It began with Brewer Fountain, a majestic 22-foot sculpture refurbished earlier, a dynamic park space complete with tables and chairs, a food truck, reading room, chess and checkers, and piano music at lunchtime.


The fountain setting is envisioned to become a popular destination for people wanting to meet for lunch or just to retreat from the busy streets of Boston during the day and in the evening, protected from the street by lush tree plantings.

The rich mix of people passing through or lingering, and the delightful restored fountain itself all will combine to make this one of the most memorable places in Boston.

friendsofthepublicgarden.org/programs-projects/brewer-f...