Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain honors two Washington, DC residents who died in the sinking of the Titanic
Francis “Frank” Davis Millet and Archibald “Archie” Willingham Butt were returning to Washington, DC after vacationing in Europe when both men died in the sinking of the Titanic on April 14, 1912. Butt and Millet are believed to be the only U.S. officials to die in the sinking of the Titanic, and the Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain became the first memorial to be built on the Ellipse.
Butt was a journalist and military aide to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, and Millet was a writer and artist who was serving on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. Butt distinguished himself as a supply officer in the Philippines in the Spanish–American War. President Theodore Roosevelt was impressed with Butt’s reputation and asked him to serve as his military aide. President Taft had served with Butt in the Philippines and asked him to stay on as his aide. Taft was grief-stricken by Butt’s death and broke down crying several times while eulogizing him.
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain was dedicated in October 1913. The base of the memorial is a basin of water with four fountain spouts that cascade water over the edge of the bowl. An inscription around the circumference of the lip of the basin reads, “In memory of Francis Davis Millet – 1846–1912 – and Archibald Willingham Butt – 1865–1912. This monument has been erected by their friends with the sanction of Congress.” A squared column with two bas-relief figures carved on the sides rises from the center of the fountain. On the north side of the column, a woman holding a paintbrush and palette represents the fine arts in honor of Millet. On the south, a man with a helmet, sword, and shield represents military valor in honor of Butt. The fountain was designed to be used as drinking water for horses of the U.S. Park Police, but don’t imagine it is still used this way.
The two men were close friends who shared a house at 2000 G Street NW at the time of their deaths. They threw large parties at the house and were well known in political and social circles in Washington, DC. Although some of the men’s letters suggest they may have been gay, the evidence is inconclusive. Millet married and had three children with a woman, but lived apart from her for much of their marriage.
The Butt-Millet Memorial Fountain feels a bit neglected and does not seem to get many visitors. It is easy to check out while visiting the Zero Milestone or American Red Cross National Headquarters. Although Butt’s body was never recovered, a Celtic cross was erected in his honor at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial plaque for Butt can also be found on the wall of the gift shop in the Washington National Cathedral. The Titanic Memorial in Southwest Waterfront Park commemorates all the men who died in the sinking of the Titanic.
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Address
1630 E Street NW
Metro Station
- Farragut West (OR, BL, SV)
- Farragut North (RD)
- McPherson Square (OR, BL, SV)
- Metro Center (RD, OR, BL, SV)
- Federal Triangle (OR, BL, SV)
Directions
This adventure can be a bit difficult to locate as it isn’t marked on Google maps, but you can enter the exact coordinates: 38.895269°N 77.037461°W. If walking east from 17th Street NW towards the National Christmas Tree, the fountain will be on your left in a grassy area between E Street NW and the Ellipse (before you get to the tree). If walking west from 15th Street NW, it will be on your right after you pass the National Christmas Tree.
Cost
Free
Hours
Open 24 hours but best in the daylight
Length of Adventure
15 minutes
Website
https://www.nps.gov/whho/learn/historyculture/butt-millet-memorial-fountain.htm
