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May 23, 2008

Blithewold offers $500 reward in theft of fountain / Photo

BRISTOL -- Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum is offering a $500 reward to anyone who can help in the recovery of an antique copper fountain that was stolen from the nonprofit organization’s property earlier this week.

The 1908 Art Nouveau fountain is original to Blithewold’s North Garden, part of the mansion’s picturesque grounds that are open to the public. It was stolen Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, the same time someone smashed an honor box on the property and stole an undetermined amount of cash from inside.

The organization reported the thefts to the police.

Karen Binder, executive director of Blithewold, said the handcrafted fountain will be impossible to replace.

“It is really a shame as we had just spent tens of thousands of dollars restoring and refitting our three historic fountains in the last year,” she said. “We’re celebrating our centennial year, so it’s especially unfortunate.”

At a minimum, she said, the fountain is valued at $3,000-$5,000.

Anyone with information about the fountain’s whereabouts can call Binder at 253-2707, ext. 12, or contact her by email at kbinder@blithewold.org.

-- Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:00 PM | Permalink

Comments

That's a lotta copper | May 23, 2008 4:57 PM link

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