Dedicated on May 31, 1920, the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument is a tribute to the men of Rutherford who sacrificed their lives during World War I. Architectural Preservation Studio prepared a comprehensive evaluation followed by a conservation plan for this World War I monument. Through on-site observations, historical research and laboratory testing, we verified existing conditions and determined the pathology of deterioration within the historic monument. Our goal was to provide a strategy for a holistic intervention that complied with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, as well as in-keeping with the artist’s original intent. We also prepared the successful National Register nomination for the property. The project was implemented in two phases.
The cast-stone memorial column is adorned with statuary bronze, including two tablets at the monument’s base. Atop the base are six eagles with interlinking garlands. Crowning the shaft is a bronze quadruped with a glass light fixture resembling a torch flame. Additional lighting fixtures were once installed behind each eagle; however, none of these fixtures remain today. Architectural Preservation Studio designed and oversaw the refurbishment of the existing lighting fixtures, including the torch flame and the recessed fixtures in the base at the eagles. In addition, our staff worked with WASA electrical engineering staff to design the street-side lighting.
The cast stone was friable, displaying delaminations and vertical cracking, with some areas having complete loss of material. Repairs included patching with a modified concrete-repair mortar with aggregate to replicate the existing texture and color. There was atmospheric staining, copper staining, biological growth, and calcium-carbonate deposits. Chemical-cleaning was used to clean the bronze and cast stone. The cast stone was then treated with a clear water repellent. Architectural Preservation Studio assisted with the preservation of items in the time capsule stored in the base of the monument as well. Restoration of the paving and drainage system was also implemented. Partial funding for the restoration work was provided by the Bergen County Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
The work of APS was recently recognised by the Bergen County Division of Cultural & Historic Affairs with the 2022 Historic Preservation Awards under Historic Preservation Projects.
Photo by Billy Neumann