Town gets money to fix up Abe

Special to The News-Times, Oct. 25, 2006
by Ryan Foust

New Milford recently received a $10,000 grant for the restoration of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Monument from the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management.

According to Mayor Pat Murphy, the enhancement money is expected to cover about half the cost of restoring the monument, the only Civil War monument to Lincoln in Connecticut.

Murphy said the project will include not just the restoration, but continued preservation of the monument.

Located at the top of the Green, the two-and-a-half foot tall bronze bust of Lincoln sits upon a 12-foot gray granite pedestal.

Bronze plaques on the sides of the pedestal depict a soldier, sailor, the text of the Gettysburg Address and a dedication listing a number of sites where New Milford troops engaged in battles.

The monument, which has turned green with oxidation, was donated to the town by Capt. Edward W. Marsh in 1912 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his service in the Civil War.

Murphy said restoration of the monument, estimated to cost about $20,000, is important in order to avoid even costlier repairs.

"We need to do it now or it may degrade to where we need to redo some of it. It's in need now," she said. "You don't want to wait for it to be so far gone. Right now would be optimum."

New Milford resident Marcella Martin agrees. She has been pushing for the restoration as a member of Save Abe!, an informal group dedicated to ensuring the monument's restoration.

Save Abe! is one of several private organizations working to raise the remainder of the restoration money.

Martin herself became determined after reading a 1994 evaluation in which an expert reported finding pitting in the bust.

"And I'm thinking, 'Okay, a pit is a hole. How big do we want these holes to get?" she said. "It's a very special thing -- the gift of a Civil War veteran to his native town, remembering ... how much (his service) meant in his life. When seen in the larger context, it's truly very special. It needs to be saved."

To donate to the restoration of the Lincoln Monument, send checks made payable to Save Abe! Attention Marcella Martin, P.O. Box 674, New Milford, CT 06776, or call Martin at (860) 354-5649..

If you have any ideas for our upcoming celebration or information to contribute, please contact the committee by using our online form .