Menu
Civil War Monument moves closer to renovation reality
Restoration of the historic Civil War Soldiers Monument in Greencastle's Forest Hill Cemetery -- a project whose necessity first emerged in the fall of 2011 -- may finally be nearing reality, thanks to the receipt of Heritage Preservation Fund Grant (HPFG).
The $40,000 grant has been awarded to the Heritage Preservation Society (HPS) of Putnam County which has been on a mission to secure the stabilization and restoration of the unique structure erected in July 1870.
"It's been a long process," HPS spokesman Phil Gick said, "but I believe we are coming closer to seeing this great edifice restored to its original glory."
History notes that the Putnam County Civil War Monument was the third such monument erected in the state. Dedicated just five years after the war ended, it was the first Civil War monument in Indiana to feature a human figure, and the only Hoosier monument displaying a seated soldier.
Uniquely, the monument also lists the names of all 321 county residents who died in the Civil War.
Gick, a longtime Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County member, said the organization has received formal notification of HPFG award from the Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology (DHPA), Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
After formally accepting the award, HPS officials also conducted a "start up" meeting with DHPA, he said.
"After extensive coordination for over a year between Arsee Engineers, the City of Greencastle and HPS, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was submitted to DHPA for review and approval," Gick said.
Last August, Arsee Engineering provided a revised estimate of cost for restoration of the monument at $110,000.
The next steps in the restoration process, Gick said, include formal advertisement of the RFP, a bidders meeting and then a review of and selection of a firm to conduct the restoration.
DHPA has to approve the city/HPS selection, Gick explained, adding that the intent is to have the restoration completed not later than May 30, 2017.
"I hope we can have a ceremony at the monument next Memorial Day," Gick told the Banner Graphic, "but that's just my vision."
When HPS received a $50,000 Envision Grant from the Putnam County Foundation in January 2015, it was hoped restoration of the monument might come in time for Indiana's Bicentennial on Dec. 16 of this year.
Titled "Western Soldier on Guard" and sculpted by Thomas David Jones (who essentially erected a twin monument in Pomeroy, Ohio), the monument is actually a three-tiered structure with the bottom portion made of Indiana limestone from Oolitic in Lawrence County, while the upper section appears to be a variety of sandstone.
The center section of the monument is made of Berea sandstone, quarried from a specific area of Ohio that no longer provides such material.
"The quarries that stone came out of have closed," Gick said, however, preservationists have identified some current quarries that apparently have the material still in stock.
Other rarities are associated with the local monument. Its iconic cavalry soldier figure is considered rare among Civil War period pieces. In fact, the Forest Hill monument is said to be the earliest Indiana example of a military figure appearing on a Civil War memorial.
"There is no other figure like him in the state," the website Sculptural Civil War Monuments in Indiana notes, referring to the noble figure as "the unusually seated cavalry soldier."
The soldier is considered a "faithful portrayal of a Civil War volunteer," according to documents from the July 2, 1870 dedication ceremony before an estimated 8,000 people (amazing considering that at the time, fewer than half that many people actually lived in Greencastle).
Looking to the future, Gick said necessitates looking back at the recent past.
"Besides telling you where we are," Gick told the Banner Graphic, "I want to briefly tell you how we got where we are."
He noted the events and dates that have led up to where the project include:
-- October 2011: HPS provides tours of Forest Hill Cemetery after the HPS Board decides to make restoration of the Civil War Soldiers Monument a primary focus.
-- April 2012: Publication of a Banner Graphic article on the monument leads to an Indianapolis TV interview and contact from Arsee Engineering with interest in the project.
-- August 2012: HPS stages a fundraiser at Zaring House on Poplar Street.
-- April 2013: Arsee offers an estimate for assessment of monument at $12,500.
-- August 2013: HPS is approved for the $10,000 Efroymson Family Fund for the monument.
-- September 2013: HPS is selected for the Servaas Award by Indiana Landmarks. The HPS Board approves using the monetary award for the monument.
-- October 2013: Partners in Preservation (PIP) Grant from Indiana Landmarks to get Forest Hill Cemetery listed on the National Register; contract to have it listed runs $3,250.
-- June 2014: HPS fundraiser for monument at Ireland House on Anderson Street.
-- Summer 2014: Putnam County Commissioners and City of Greencastle commit to supporting restoration.
-- July 2015: Forest Hill Cemetery approved for listing on the National Register.