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The Kona Fountain was presented to the Town of Center Harbor in 1907. It was the gift of Herbert Dumaresq, a Boston merchant who called his Center Harbor retreat the Kona Estate. The fountain's sculptor was Richard Gerry Cook (1869-1955). Cook was reckoned "one of America's foremost artists in the salt-glazed stoneware medium of decorative pottery (Boson Globe, 4/20/1955)."

The image of Kona is central to the legend of naming Lake Winnipesaukee. Kona (the Eagle), a young cheiftan crossed the lake to court Ellacoya, the daugher Ahanton, a bitter enemy, as retold by Ursula Hegi in The Legend of Emma Blau:

"Ahanton said no to anyone who wanted to marry his daughter. He [tried to] attack Kona, [but] the princess steppped between them. Kona showed no fear so the chief consented to his daughter's marriage. After the wedding Kona returned across the lake with his bride, and a storm nearly overturned the canoes. But all at once sun split the clouds, showing the way to safety. Ahanton called this the Smile of the Great Spirit — Winnipesaukee."

Back to Center Harbor

12/20/08

	The Kona Fountain was presented to the Town of Center Harbor in 1907. It was the gift of Herbert Dumaresq, a Boston merchant who called his Center Harbor retreat the Kona Estate. The fountain's sculptor was Richard Gerry Cook (1869-1955). Cook was reckoned "one of America's foremost artists in the salt-glazed stoneware medium of decorative pottery (Boson Globe, 4/20/1955)." The image of Kona is central to the legend of naming Lake Winnipesaukee. Kona (the Eagle), a young cheiftan crossed the lake to court Ellacoya, the daugher Ahanton, a bitter enemy, as retold by Ursula Hegi in The Legend of Emma Blau: "Ahanton said no to anyone who wanted to marry his daughter. He [tried to] attack Kona, [but] the princess steppped between them. Kona showed no fear so the chief consented to his daughter's marriage. After the wedding Kona returned across the lake with his bride, and a storm nearly overturned the canoes. But all at once sun split the clouds, showing the way to safety. Ahanton called this the Smile of the Great Spirit — Winnipesaukee." Back to Center Harbor 12/20/08
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