Although, at a glance, the outside of the Soldiers' Monument looks fine, a closer examination reveals a deterioration of the mortar that holds the stones together. Therefore, moisture on the inside is a growing problem with the calcium in the concrete turning white and ultimately disintegrating into powder. This is now apparent even in the list of names, which though made of marble, has cracked with the calcium leaching through. In other places, shards of concrete sheet off when the wall is touched.In addition, the roof leaks and the window casings have rotted. The bill for repairs is approximately $600,000 and growing.
There are few grants of this magnitude. Others, do not allow a town property to apply. Those that offer funds to groups in our situation require payment in advance with reimbursement of half the money at a later date.
We are, however, aggressively working on various possibilities. The National Preservation Society actively promotes an "11 Most Endangered Sites" list, which doesn't guarantee funds but targets an audience interested in funding such ventures. We applied in February. We haven't heard anything, but a list of 11 for 2014 has not been released yet, so it is anyone's guess. The Civil War News, a monthly magazine for Civil War enthusiasts and re-enactors, ran a large article about our plight and asked for funds. Fingers crossed. Ultimately, we will need to run various fundraisers throughout the area.
We ask that you respond as generously as possible with donations at our events and openings, to solicitations or at anytime you feel so moved to send us a check. Your checks should be made out to:
Town of Winchester
Memo: SoMo Restoration
There is in-depth information on how to leave bequests, etc. on page 4 of the May 2013 issue of the SoMo Sentinel newsletter.
Thank you.
There are few grants of this magnitude. Others, do not allow a town property to apply. Those that offer funds to groups in our situation require payment in advance with reimbursement of half the money at a later date.
We are, however, aggressively working on various possibilities. The National Preservation Society actively promotes an "11 Most Endangered Sites" list, which doesn't guarantee funds but targets an audience interested in funding such ventures. We applied in February. We haven't heard anything, but a list of 11 for 2014 has not been released yet, so it is anyone's guess. The Civil War News, a monthly magazine for Civil War enthusiasts and re-enactors, ran a large article about our plight and asked for funds. Fingers crossed. Ultimately, we will need to run various fundraisers throughout the area.
We ask that you respond as generously as possible with donations at our events and openings, to solicitations or at anytime you feel so moved to send us a check. Your checks should be made out to:
Town of Winchester
Memo: SoMo Restoration
There is in-depth information on how to leave bequests, etc. on page 4 of the May 2013 issue of the SoMo Sentinel newsletter.
Thank you.
