News Details (Posted: December 5, 2006):

COUNTY MONUMENT RESTORATION PROJECT

Full Description:

Washington County Historic Courthouse staff and other concerned members of the community are working hand-in -hand to restore the Soldiers and Sailors monument that stands on the Historic Courthouse grounds at the corner of Fourth and Pine Streets in Stillwater.

The monument stands to honor the service and sacrifice of more than 900 soldiers and sailors from Washington County who served in the Civil War. The monument itself features a larger-than-life bronze statue of a Civil War soldier and has plaques that list the names of the servicemen.

The monument was put up in 1916 at $4500--funds that were raised by voluntary subscription from veterans, county school children, patriotic organizations, private citizens, and a contribution from the Washington County Board of Commissioners.

The monument is now showing the effects of time and a certified inspector recently recommended that the memorial be cleaned and a new patina be applied to the statue and plaques. Total cost of the restoration will will be $30,000.

To raise the funds needed, Carolyn Phelps, Parks Coordinator at the Historic Courthouse, and Jon Larson, Washington County Veterans' Service Officer, contacted 12 military service organizations and their auxiliary groups asking for donations. The planners are also hoping that individuals, businesses and other groups will contribute to this project as a tribute to Washington County's Civil War veterans.

If fund-raising is successful, restoration will begin in spring 2007.

For me information or to make a donation, contact Carolyn Phelps at (651) 275-7077.