Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces Restoration OfThe Battle Monument
For Immediate Release: April 18, 2012
The Nation’s oldest war memorial, including the Lady Baltimore sculpture, will be preserved for future generations.
Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced a City historic legacy project to restore and preserve the Baltimore Battle Monument, including the Lady Baltimoresculpture. The monument, which is in the center of Calvert Street, across from the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse, commemorates the Battle of Baltimore, which took place September 12-15, 1814, during the War of 1812.
After almost 200 years of exposure to the elements, the Lady Baltimore is extremely fragile and must be relocated to a stable interior environment. The original sculpture will be moved to the Walters Art Museum. A reproduction of Lady Baltimore will be constructed and installed on the monument to replace the fragile original sculpture. The four griffon sculptures will be reconstructed on site, and crucial missing features will be restored.
“The Baltimore Battle Monument is the nation’s oldest war memorial. As Baltimoreans, we take pride in the heroic efforts of our citizens during the War of 1812,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “We are proud to have an official City seal that features such a nationally significant monument. Our nation is indebted to the sacrifice of the individuals to whom this monument is dedicated. We owe it to these fallen heroes, and to future generations, to be caring stewards of this memorial.”
The Baltimore Battle Monument, designed by Maximilian Godefroy and completed in 1825, embodies events that led to the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The Lady Baltimore, the griffons, and the relief panels are the work of sculptor Antonio Capellano.
“We are honored to be part of the commemoration of the War of 1812 by hosting the Lady Baltimore statue at the Walters Art Museum,” said Director Gary Vikan. “As a free museum of the City of Baltimore, we hope that the public will visit the Mount Vernon neighborhood to see Lady Baltimore and the Washington Monument, as well as the Walters’ collections.”
The Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) will administer the legacy project. Conservator of Fine Arts Steve Tatti (SAT, Inc.) will complete the restoration and conservation work. Since 1980, CHAP has administered Baltimore City’s program to restore its publically-owned outdoor monuments. Through CHAP, Baltimore created the nation’s first comprehensive program for stewardship of its publically-owned outdoor monuments.
“In 2011, CHAP completed the first phase of restoration of the architectural elements of the Battle Monument. In 2012, the Lady Baltimore and the four griffons will be reconstructed and preserved for future generations,” said CHAP Executive Director Kathleen Kotarba. “We are privileged to serve the people of Baltimore by preserving this national treasure.”
The Lady Baltimore Battle Monument project costs $148,500 and is funded with capital funds. The Board of Estimates is slated to approve the project this morning.
