Miss Jane Pittman Drinking Fountain's 25th Anniversary

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A piece of Rochester history celebrates its 25th anniversary Wednesday.

In 1988, Midge Thomas, widow of the late Dr. Freddy Thomas, needed a drink of water to take some medication but found no free drinking water available in downtown Rochester.

Thomas spearheaded a movement to get a public drinking fountain downtown. Wednesday was the fountain's 25th anniversary of the Miss Jane Pittman drinking fountain outside the Sibley Building at the Liberty Pole.

The fountain is named after the fictional character in the 1971 novel by Ernest Gaines.

"The symbol represents the time years ago when there were separate drinking fountains. We wanted this fountain to be more meaningful than just having a drink of water. It talks about the history of this country of America," said Thomas.

To commemorate the anniversary of the Miss Jane Pittman Fountain, Mayor Lovely Warren proclaimed this Midge Thomas Day in Rochester honoring her efforts to make this community fountain a reality.

Mrs. Thomas said back in 1989 when the fountain was dedicated, Cicely Tyson, the actress who portrayed Miss Jane Pittman in the TV dramatization in 1974, was invited to attend the dedication. However, Tyson wanted an $800,000 attendance fee. Ernest Gaines, author of the novel, appeared instead for free.

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Miss Jane Pittman Drinking Fountain's 25th Anniversary