Montgomery, Alabama

In 1886 the cornerstone for an eighty-five-foot-tall Confederate Monument was laid by Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama. Alexander Doyle designed a striking monument for the site, utilizing an eclectic mix of styles and an unusual combination of materials including limestone, bronze, and granite. The Alabama Confederate Monument now stands as one of the largest Civil War Monuments in the southern United States.

Despite previous treatment efforts performed on the monument, there was a need for re-pointing and restoration of the stonework. Biological growth had caused some discoloration to the base and moisture had triggered spalling and exfoliation in many of the stones. It is reported that in the late 1970s state workers scrubbed the bronze relief with an abrasive household cleaner, stripping it of its finish and doing considerable damage to the bronze band. The granite statuary also suffered from earlier insensitive treatments, including sand blasting. An unattractive orange staining suggested that the statuary may have been recently cleaned with muriatic acid, and not rinsed thoroughly afterwards.

The conservation of the stone monument (granite and limestone) included extensive cleaning, consolidation of the deteriorated portions, stone patching, dutchman stone repairs, dispersed hydrated lime injection repairs to the numerous cracks and fissures in the stone, and complete re-pointing of the monument. The client examined a number of limestone blocks to determine which best matched the original stone, and selected samples from an Indiana quarry and the Russellville, Alabama quarry. Lead caps were installed at water catch points.

Missing bronze elements were measured and AutoCAD drawings were prepared for model making. After rough forming in wood, the models were brought to the site and checked for accuracy. The approved models were cast in bronze and finished to match the existing bronze by chasing and patinating. The bronzes were fully cleaned, repatinated and coated with Incralac.

Photographic and written documentation was performed prior to the treatment and continued through completion. A written plan for continued maintenance was created to help reduce future deterioration and to increase the longevity of the conservation treatment thereby reducing future costly conservation treatments.

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