I also got a bunch of emails asking about last Friday’s bonus picture and the origin of the Cohen House fountain. (I’m not sure why people have suddenly become so inquisitive but I like it. Ask away, folks. I might even know the answer to your question. Maybe not, though. Always remember the motto of the Rice History Corner: “Keep expectations low, as usual, and no one will be too disappointed.”)
In any event, this one I can definitely answer. I happen to already have images of the construction of that fountain, which took place after the 1958 addition to the back of the faculty club radically changed the grounds. Mr. Cohen took his usual interest in every aspect of the construction of the new garden and commissioned the glass fountain from French artist Max Ingrand. It was installed in 1960:
Here’s Mr. Cohen with the finished product on a cold day in January, 1961:
Bonus: An earlier fountain was lost in the renovation. I might like this one better. 1938.
Extra Bonus: Thanks, guys.
