Dance of the Eternal Spring Virtual Cache

"Dance of the Eternal Spring”

In 1903 Milton Hershey commissioned Philadelphia sculptor Giuseppe Donato, to create a fountain for his estate in Hershey.   When the fountain, called “Dance of the Eternal Spring”,  was complete it was shipped to Milton Hershey, but he refused to receive it.  The reason for his refusal is not known, however the statue is of three nude nymphs, one holding a child in her outstretched arms.  One theory for his refusing it was that he was afraid his very conservative German neighbors would disapprove.  Another theory is that Hershey refused to pay Donato’s asking price of $31,000. 

Donato sued Milton Hershey in court.  Hershey lost the case and was ordered to pay Donato $23,000.  Hershey complied, but still refused to accept the fountain.  Hershey eventually gave the fountain to the City of Harrisburg.  Harrisburg accepted it but was not sure what to do with it.  Finally, it was placed in Reservoir Park behind some bushes.  It stayed there until 1938 when it  was moved to the Municipal Rose Garden on north Third St. in front of Polyclinic Hospital.  It was there until 1971, when the rose garden was demolished because Polyclinic Hospital was expanding.  The City put the fountain in storage, unable to agree on what to do with it.

Giuseppe Donato had hired nine models to create this fountain.  The statue is believed to be a composite of the features of the nine models, not a representation of any one individual.  It is coincidental that one of the models for the nymphs on this fountain was born and raised in Dauphin County.  Amanda Straw (Stroh in German) was born in Fishing Creek Valley, Dauphin County in 1875.  She went to Philadelphia to attend business school, but decided that she did not want to work in an office.  She answered an ad and worked in what was called “Stage Vaudeville”.  She later became a very successful artist’s model using the stage name, Madeline Stokes.

Amanda worked as a model until she was 38 years old when she retired and married artist Albert  Snyder.  They lived near Utica, NY until his death in 1939.   Amanda then returned to Fishing Creek Valley and lived with relatives until 1955, when she was 80 years old and moved to Homeland Center, Harrisburg.

On March 23, 1971, Amanda Shaw Snyder, age 95, appeared before the Harrisburg City Council and asked them to erect the fountain, “Dance of the Eternal Spring” in Italian Lake.  On July 18, 1971, an 80-foot crane placed the fountain on its pedestal in Italian lake with 96 year old Madeline Stokes (Amanda Straw Snyder) watching.  In a Patriot News article, she stated that it was one of the biggest thrills of her long life to see her likeness placed in a prominent position on what many feel is one the City’s most beautiful parks. 

On October 29, 1972, Amanda Straw Snyder, age 97, died at Homeland and was buried at the Stroh Family Cemetery in Fishing Creek Valley.

To get credit for this Virtual Cache, upload a photo of yourself (face not required) or some personal item that includes the fountain in the background. 

If you choose not to upload a photo, send me in an email or message, the words in the oval concrete frame at GZ, just at the water’s edge (see photo below). This is only required if a photo is not included in your log.   

Any find not meeting one of the two requirements will be deleted without notice.

While you are in the park, you may enjoy the nice set of nearby Lab Caches.