Content area
Abstract
[Barbara Wolanin] was glad to see the restoration of the fountain take place in the summer of 1993. The cleaning and waxing of the figures brought out details and a deep green-brown color. The restoration also included an application of a corrosion inhibitor to ensure long- term preservation. The fountain is now cleaned and waxed yearly to prevent corrosion from the constant flow of water.
While there haven't been any major malfunctions with the fountain, a vandalism incident occurred in 1998, stripping Neptune of his bronze fig leaf. The culprit was never found, and the leaf was never replaced. Wolanin said there were no close-up photographs to replicate the leaf, and "nobody was complaining about it."
The fountain is modeled after the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome's most recognizable landmarks.The legend behind Trevi is if you throw a coin into the fountain over your shoulder you'll be assured of returning to Rome. So if you toss a coin in the Capitol Hill fountain maybe a trip to Rome is in your future.