Museum Collections
Luce Center
Model of the High Bridge Water Tower
Object name
Model of the High Bridge Water Tower
Date
ca. 1871
Medium
Silver plate
Dimensions
Overall: 32 1/2 x 10 x 10 in. ( 82.6 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm )
Description
Wrought and cast silver plated model of the High Bridge Water Tower, Harlem River, N.Y. engraved on the front, "Presented/ to/ John L. Brown,/ August 7th 1871./ by the/ Employees on the/ Tower Works,/ as a/ Souvenir/ of the pleasent times/ passed in his employ." in script; tower seated on an octagonal base engraved, "Fac-Simile/ of the/ High Service Tower,/ for supplying the upper part of/ New York City/ with water/ E. M. Tracy, Chief Eng./ W. L. Dearborn, Eng. in charge/ G. A. Cushing, Resident Eng./ C. Birkner, Asst Eng. & Draughtsman./ James Fleming, Inspector." in script on one side, " City of New York./ A. Oakey Hall, Mayor. WM. Tweed, Com. of Public Works." in script inan engraved and wheel turned rectangle on on side and, "High Service Water Works/ John L. Brown, John Witherell, Contractors./ John Wright, Master mason./ D. Goodfellow, master Carpenter./ Jos Edwards, Master Machinist./ N. Megan, Paymaster." in script.
Credit Line
Gift of the Family of the late Amos F. Eno
Object Number
1923.110
Marks
engraved: on the front: "Presented/ to/ John L. Brown,/ August 7th 1871./ by the/ Employees on the/ Tower Works,/ as a/ Souvenir/ of the pleasent times/ passed in his employ." in script
engraved: on the base: "Fac-Simile/ of the/ High Service Tower,/ for supplying the upper part of/ New York City/ with water/ E. M. Tracy, Chief Eng./ W. L. Dearborn, Eng. in charge/ G. A. Cushing, Resident Eng./ C. Birkner, Asst Eng. & Draughtsman./ James Fleming, Inspector." in script on one side, " City of New York./ A. oakley Hall, Mayor. WM. Tweed, Com. of Public Works." in script in an engraved and wheel turned rectangle on on side and, "High Service Water Works/ John L. Brown, John Witherell, Contractors./ John Wright, Master mason./ D. Goodfellow, master Carpenter./ Jos Edwards, Master Machinist./ N. Megan, Paymaster." in script
Gallery Label
This model of the High Bridge Water tower was presented to John L. Brown, the contactor, August 7, 1871 by the employees of the tower works. The tower was built to equalize water pressure in the Croton Resevoir and along the High Bridge aqueduct.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.





