By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A piece of St. Joseph’s past has taken up residence at the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.
Museum officials have announced that the fountain from the lobby of historic Hotel Robidoux is now on display at the museum.
Hotel Robidoux, once located on the northwest corner of 5th and Francis Street, was demolished in 1976. But before the hotel was brought down, the fountain from the marble staircase was carefully extracted from the front lobby and placed in a private collection.
Members of the St. Joseph Woodworkers Guild donated their time and expertise to build a structure to cover the lower part of the fountain mounting. Generous support for this project was provided by members of the St. Joseph Woodworkers Guild. The Guild is gathering the material to cover the lower structure with oak.
Sunshine Electronic Display also helped in moving the fountain into the museum.
“It’s important to keep the craftsmanship that went into this historic landmark right here in St. Joseph” Sunshine Electronic Display Corporation CEO Kendall Randolph said in a written statement released by the museum.
Randloph has provided the fountain to the museum on a long-term loan.
“The fountain is such an iconic piece of our [St. Joseph] history and it deserves to be kept in our community. I know the Albrecht-Kemper is the right place that will both be able to properly maintain the fountain and keep it on display for future generations” says Eric Fuson, AKMA Executive Director, said in a written statement released by the museum.
The fountain is on display in the museum dining room.
Changes have been made to this article since first published to correct errors.