Boys at Fountain at Mannie in Green
AssociatedAssociated with
The Mannie
Date1934
Object NamePhotograph
MediumPaper
ClassificationsScience And Technology
AcquisitionPresented in 2002.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS060773
About MeBoys drinking from a fountain at the "Mannie" in the Green, 1934. At one time these attractive cast iron fountains were found throughout the city. The Mannie is the lead figure that stands atop the stone wellhouse. The figure was cast in 1708 and was originally sited at the Castlegate. The wellhouse supplied fresh water to Aberdonians. This was very important as with commercial and industrial growth the older sources of drinking water (such as the Loch of Aberdeen) were increasingly threatened with pollution. Continued growth and increasing demand on water supplies led in 1830 to the Council unveiling a scheme to pump water from the River Dee up to Union Street where a cistern, capable of holding 88,000 gallons was built. This served the city until 1866 when a new system was turned on by Queen Victoria. The Mannie was moved to the Green in 1852 but was put back to the Castlegate, as a decorative piece, in 1972.
Joan Hassall
