ATHOL — After several decades, the brass public drinking cup which used to hang on the Ginery Twichell Fountain in the uptown common has found its way back home. Athol Historical Society directors Debra Ellis and Ken Vaidulas received it from Sylvia Farnum Parks.
When the fountain was refurbished in the mid-1990s, Athol decided that the cup should be removed for health concerns. Her father, Howard Farnum, who lived close by on Kennebunk Street, asked the workmen if he could have it. They gave it to him. It has been in the Farnum family ever since. Gene Farnum inherited it from his father. This summer, he asked Sylvia to give it to the historical society for all to enjoy.
The fountain was a gift to Athol in memory of Ginery Twichell by his wife and daughter in 1898. Twichell, who was born in Athol, was a successful businessman. It was placed near where he would make regular stops when, earlier in his career, he drove a stagecoach from Brattleboro to Boston. A tavern on the edge of the common was close by. Twichell also severed in Congress for three terms, representing Athol and surrounding towns. He later became president of the Boston and Worcester Railroad.
The fountain was designed for drinking by people, horses and dogs. There are wreaths and dolphin heads spouting water for human consumption high on the 10-foot-high sculpture surmounted by metal leaves designed to deliver water to the horse trough below. Dolphins protected by four gargoyles delivers water down to a small collection bowl for the dogs.
It is a sculpture that is both beautiful and functional. The fountain was a regular stop for horse and wagons traveling in town and an important part of Athol history.