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Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Duluth to be Restored

[Duluth, MN] – The historic Soldiers and Sailors monument located in Priley Circle will be restored as part of the Minnesota Historical Society's commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War and Minnesota's involvement. Soldiers and Sailors is surrounded by Duluth City Hall, the State District Courthouse, and the Gerald. W. Heaney federal building which make up Duluth’s Civic Center. The monument is on the National Register of Historic Places and honors soldiers who served during the American Civil War. This monument was completed and dedicated on Memorial Day in 1919. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument was designed by Architect Cass Gilbert, who was also renowned for his design of the St. Paul Capitol Building. The restoration will ensure the longevity of this nearly century old monument but also educates the public about the sacrifices of our people and this historic event.    

The monument consists of:

• 20 foot wide granite base with several tiers
• 60 foot steel flag staff sits atop the base
• Bronze eagles sit on each corner
• A stone knight sits guarding the flag at the base of the monument proper, the creation of sculptor Paul Wayland Bartlett
• The names of soldiers from St. Louis County are engraved on the base and pedestal
• The first verse of the Star Spangled banner is carved in raised letters near the top of the die

Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, a restoration company that also trains young workers in this specialized field, partnered with the City of Duluth to attain a $70,000 grant from the Clean Water and Legacy Fund and support from the Minnesota Historical Society. Northern Bedrock will complete conservation treatment of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument which involves cleaning, repairing and repatinating, under the guidance of a qualified conservator. Separate techniques will be utilized to address the granite, bronze and steel elements of the Monument, under the direction of the conservator.

Crews have started preparing the site for cleaning this week. Over the upcoming weekend, a lift truck will be in place cleaning the steel flag staff. There should be no disruption to public access around the monument or through the gardens during the project. Northern Bedrock anticipates completing the project by July 29 or possibly sooner.

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