Lamar Madonna of the Trail
Madonna gets a makeover
By Lance
Maggart The Lamar Ledger
Posted: 08/24/2013 09:51:59 AM MDT
Workmen repaired cracks,
hairline fractures and even a bullet hole on the Lamar Madonna of the Trail
statue. (John Contreras)
Adam LeMaster, an employee of
Si Memorial of Parsons, Kan. was in Lamar to do some repair and restoration work
on the Madonna of the Trail. (John Contreras)
If you have looked at Lamar's Madonna of the Trail statue lately she might seem
slightly different.
Lamar's Madonna recently underwent a detailed restoration and renovation
project funded through a grant from the National Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) organization.
The $14,000 grant was awarded in April of this year DAR Historic Preservation Special Projects Chair Chris Ruth was in Lamar last
week from her home in Greeley to oversee the work.
Chris has spent over two and a half years on the current restoration project. Along with writing the grant proposal and submitting it to the National DAR
organization Chris found the monument company in Kan. to complete the work.
Si Memorials out of Parsons, Kan. performed the work. Adam LeMaster and Brett
Gentry of Si Memorials cleaned the entire statue and it's base first. Afterwards
the two set about repairing the existing damages on the statue. They filled hairline fractures and cracks throughout using a specialized
epoxy along with a ground granite mixture that was meticulously pushed into the
epoxy.
The pair also repaired a bullet hole on the southeast corner of the statue's
base. After repairing the statue and the base they started applying a three-part
epoxy sealant on Thu. Because of wind and the proximity to Main St. it was determined the sealant
could not be sprayed onto the statue.
Instead the entire sealant product was applied by hand with a three inch
brush. The epoxy sealant that was applied has darkened the iconic statue ever so
slightly. It is also resistant to vandalism.
Chris Ruth said, "The Lamar Madonna has weathered the years well. Her condition is better than some of the others throughout the nation."
The City of Lamar owns the Madonna statue but the DAR act as its stewards. A
rededication ceremony for the statue will be held on Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.
Link:
http://www.lamarledger.com/lamar-community-news/ci_23911835/madonna-gets-makeover
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