A group of Ventnor citizens are engaged in a “who done it” to solve a cold case involving a beautiful maiden that went missing many years ago.
The Ventnor Friends of the Fountain group is committed to replacing the deteriorating and long defunct fountain located outside the historic Water Works building on Winchester and Cornwall avenues. The historic building and fountain are located in a bucolic setting overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway with a view of the Dorset Avenue bridge.
The naked maiden was clothed by the sculptor before she was placed on top of the fountain. She has gone missing for decades.
The figurine atop the fountain went missing many years ago, and the Fountain Friends are wondering, “Where could she be now?”
“She could easily be in someone’s home, covered up with a blanket or collecting dust in a basement,” Fountain Friends President Dawn Burke Sena said. “Solving this mystery will likely take the rest of the summer, but we’re reaching out while residents are here for the summer to see if anyone knows where she could be.”
Sena said the group is also interested in hearing any memories or seeing photos local residents may have about the fountain and the maiden’s disappearance.
“This is Ventnor’s most wanted antiquity. Was it looted, stolen or is she just lost in Ventnor? For all we know, she could be anywhere,” Sena said.
Although the figurine is missing, her story is very much alive. The story of the “little bathing girl” was brought to light by the folks at the Ventnor City Historical Society, which has a clipping of a photograph of the statue and a story to go with it.
According to accession records in the society museum, which is located in the Ventnor City Cultural Arts Center next to the library, originally she was nude, which caused quite a scandal more than 100 years ago.
When the fountain was installed, the city engaged sculptor Rheinhold Mory to design the figurine to go atop the fountain. Of course, he created the maiden as a naked lady standing above a breaking ocean wave.
“So shocked were the city fathers that the artist, not wishing to further wound their feelings, dressed the maiden up in a bathing suit and cape – and now all is peace and quiet in Ventnor,” the card states.
A photo discovered in the museum shows the maiden fully clothed, but the actual statue has not been seen for decades.
“If anyone has pictures or stories to tell, we want to hear from you,” Sena said.
Fountain Friends has been quietly working with the administration for more than two years, seeking guidance in determining the viability of restoring the fountain. In January, the Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the Friends that outlines the roles and financial responsibilities of each party in the public/private partnership.
The group has established itself as a non-profit organization and will soon announce a major capital campaign to raise the money needed for the restoration of the fountain, which they learned is too far gone to be refurbished. An entirely new fountain is needed, but first, the city needs to determine the status of underground pipes that bring water to the fountain.
“We are now waiting on the city’s exploratory investigation to fully understand what’s happening beneath the concrete pad,” Sena said.
From left, Ventnor Fountain Friends Dawn Burke Sena, Tina LoBiondo and Barbara Sullivan.
Once the status of the underground system is known, the group will start its capital campaign. They have set up tables to educate the public about their efforts at the Ventnor City Farmers Market, the Spring Block Party and Stockton Community Day events.
“Posters have been made and posted around town containing a QR Code that will bring people to our website, where they can learn all about the effort,” she said.
The group has received letters from high-ranking public officials in support of grant applications that are being prepared to help fund the project. The group recently applied for a T-Mobile Hometown Grant and hopes to apply for others. The city has also agreed to insert a flyer in the next water bill being sent to ratepayers explaining how the Friends want to bring the Water Works site back to vibrancy. The Friends envision it will once again become a public gathering place that offers a daily vista of the setting sun.
The group estimates it will need at least $500,000 to replace the fountain and recently hosted a visit from the team at Ehrich & Ehrich Landscape Architects to determine their next steps. The group established a “wish list” of needed items for those interested in funding memorial pavers or benches that will be placed around the fountain.
The fountain will have to be dismantled “with kid gloves” to salvage some of the cherubs, dolphins and other historic pieces so they can be reproduced.
But the restoration will be incomplete without the missing maiden standing atop the fountain, so the Friends are asking residents to check their basements, garages and attics to see if she’s hiding there.
“We’re trucking along little by little, and we are very excited to bring this special community project to our citizens,” Sena said. “Ventnor Fountain Friends encourages everyone to take a moment to pass by this once spectacular water feature that served as a community gathering spot. She now sits waiting to flow once again.”
For more, see www.ventnorfountainfriends.org
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