Fundraising for Panther Fountain

With completion of the restoration of Sunhouse Fountain on Cherokee Boulevard, the KP-SHA will now focus attention on Panther Fountain.  Panther Fountain, circa 1928, was constructed with an Art Deco style along with Native American motifs from local Cherokee folklore.  It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.  Over the years the fountain has suffered severe deterioration from exposure to the elements and inadequate “stop gap” repairs.  The panther heads still spew water, but without a committed restoration effort this historic fountain will become beyond repair.

A fundraising campaign has yet to be planned but concerned neighbors have already contributed over $24,000 for the restoration project.  Early cost estimates are between $150,000 and $180,000.  KP-SHA has applied for a Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) restoration grant, which is a matching grant; TDEC covers 60% and the applicant covers the remaining 40%.  The recipients of this grant will be announced in the fall of 2020.  

As we did for Papoose Park and Sunhouse Fountain, a fundraising campaign will need to be designed.  KP-SHA will be putting together a Fundraising Committee and looking for creative volunteers to serve on this committee.  

Interested in helping? Email Melinda Ethier - melindaethier@gmail.com

Interested in donating? Send check to KP-SHA, P. O. Box 11762, Knoxville, TN 37939 and make a notation for Panther Fountain Fund.

Many thanks to those who have already contributed!