See the inner workings of Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Fountain is one of the most iconic symbols of Chicago. The fountain’s been around since 1927, and anything that old requires some work, so the Chicago Park District shut it down the winter of 2008-2009 to work on all the landscaping features. Now they need to restore the fountain itself.

This, of course, is an expensive proposition, but they’ve come up with a creative way to raise the money. Every Friday from today until August 27 they’re offering tours of the underground pump works. They start at 12 and 12:30pm and cost $50. Yes, that’s a hefty price tag, but knowing you were responsible for keeping the fountain flowing for another 83 years? Priceless.