25 Years Ago, A Drinking Fountain in Downtown Rochester Became a Movement

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The City of Rochester celebrated Wednesday the story of how a drinking fountain came to be exactly 25 years ago.

The Miss Jane Pittman drinking fountain sits outside the Sibley Building at the Liberty Pole.

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

"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.

The fountain is named after the fictional character in "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," a 1971 novel by Ernest Gaines about the life of a slave girl. The novel inspired a made-for-TV movie in 1974, where Pittman was played by actress Cicely Tyson.

Thomas said when the fountain was dedicated, Tyson was invited to attend the dedication, but asked for a $800,000 attendance fee. Ernest Gaines, author of the novel, appeared instead for free.

Wednesday was also proclaimed Midge Thomas Day in Rochester.

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25 Years Ago, A Drinking Fountain in Downtown Rochester Became a Movement