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Untermyer Fountain

A graceful bronze sculpture of three dancing girls, this memorial fountain brings a touch of German artistry and French garden design to the serene Conservatory Garden of Central Park.

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Untermyer Fountain
www.centralparknyc.org, og_image_www.centralparknyc.org

Where is the Untermyer Fountain located?

The fountain is located in the Conservatory Garden of Central Park in New York City, specifically at 105th Street and Fifth Avenue.

What is the Untermyer Fountain known for?

It is known for featuring a bronze cast of Walter Schott's 'Three Dancing Maidens,' which consists of lifesize bronze figures on a limestone base standing in an oval pool.

What is the history of the fountain?

The sculpture was completed in Germany before 1910 and was originally displayed at the Untermyer family's Yonkers estate. It was donated to Central Park by the children of Samuel and Minnie Untermyer and dedicated in 1947 as a memorial to them.

What are the hours to visit?

The Conservatory Garden, where the fountain is located, is open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Untermyer Fountain is a centerpiece of the Conservatory Garden in New York City, located at 105th Street and Fifth Avenue. The installation features a bronze cast of Walter Schott's sculpture titled Three Dancing Maidens, which was completed in Germany before 1910. These lifesize bronze figures stand upon a limestone base, their arms stretching to form a circle as they animate the surrounding landscape. The fountain serves as a memorial to Samuel Untermyer, a prominent lawyer and civic leader, and his wife Minnie. The Untermyer family originally purchased the sculpture in the early 1900s and displayed it at their estate in Yonkers. Following the death of Samuel Untermyer in 1940, his children—Irwin Untermyer, Alvin Untermyer, and Irene Richter—donated the piece to the park. Dedicated in 1947, the fountain is designed with a clear French garden influence. It sits within an oval pool and is framed by elliptical flower beds, creating a formal and symmetrical aesthetic in the northern section of the garden. The bronze figures provide a joyful contrast to the structured greenery of the Conservatory Garden.

Visitor tips

  • Access the fountain by entering the Conservatory Garden at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street.
  • Plan your visit between 8 a.m. and dusk, as the garden follows these daily operating hours.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the surrounding elliptical flower beds and garden paths.

Nearby context

The fountain is the focal point of the northern section of the Conservatory Garden, a formal oasis tucked away from the busier thoroughfares of Central Park near 105th Street.

Sources

Evidence and links