Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Wars

Conservation of Civil War Monument

The Civil War soldiers' monument was erected in 1871 in Keene's Central Square common. Martin Milmore of Boston sculpted the eight-foot bronze figure of a Union infantryman.

CITY OF KEENE NEW HAMPSHIRE
CONSERVATION OF CIVIL WAR MONUMENT
RFP NUMBER 04-98-15

The City of Keene, New Hampshire is seeking proposals for the Conservation of the Civil War statue and plaque located in Central Square, City of Keene, New Hampshire.

 All proposals must be received at the Office of the City Purchasing Agent, City Hall, 3 Washington Street, Keene, New Hampshire 03431, until 4:00 PM, prevailing time, by the City of Keene Finance Department Clock, Friday, May 8, 1998.

 Work on this project is to be completed in eight working days.

 Copies of the Request for Proposal may be obtained, without charge, from the City Purchasing Office, City Hall, 3 Washington Street, Keene, New Hampshire 03431, by telephone number 603-357-9800 or by Fax number 603-357-9847.
 

CITY OF KEENE NEW HAMPSHIRE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CONSERVATION OF CIVIL WAR MONUMENT
RFP NUMBER 04-98-15

Purpose

 The City of Keene, New Hampshire, has on its Central Square Common
a Civil War statue erected in 1871.  This bronze sculpture is the work of Martin Milmore.  The City of Keene, through the New Hampshire SOS has had the condition of the statue evaluated and is now committed to the conservation of it.
 

Background

 In 1995, conservator Henry Lie examined the Civil War monument in Central Square.  His report stated that the statue and its plaque needed treatment.  The City of Keene in response to this report, committed a sum in its 1998 fiscal year’s operating budget for the attention the monument needed.
 

Administration

 The Civil War statue in Central Square is the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department of the City of Keene.  The Director, Brian A. Mattson, will oversee the conservation project.  Questions concerning the project should be directed to him at 312 Washington Street, Keene, New Hampshire, 03431, 603-357-9829.
 

Scope of Services

 Both the statue and the bronze plaque are in need of attention.  Each have a green color which is the result of copper sulfate corrosion.  Etching has occurred to an estimated depth of 1 to 1.5 mm. 

 1.  The poorly adhered portion of the green corrosion products should be removed by walnut shell powder blasting (30-40 psi) or medium pressure water blasting (2000-4000 psi, fan-shaped nozzle)  or equivalent.

 2.  The bronze surface of the statue and plaque should be patined to the original color or dark brown if original can not be determined.  This process should be done with aqueous reagents and a torch.

 3.  The iron bolts of the plaque to be replaced with copper alloy bolts.

 4.  Rinse off residues of the painting process and brush two coats and spray one of Incralac on the statue and plaque.

 5.  A final coat using Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax or equivalent shall be applied.

 6.  All work is to be completed in eight working days.

 7.  Water and scaffolding will be provided by the City of Keene.
 

Submittal

 All submittals will be sent  to:

     by:

 Each submittal must contain the following information:
 
  1.  A quoted not-to-exceed fee.

  2.  A schedule of conservator’s availability to execute the project.

  3.  A summary of qualifications which must include the date
   when the conservator’s practice and/or firm was established
  and a listing of projects underway or completed within the past 
  year.

  4.  A list of three references for work comparable to this project.