ORONO, Maine — The Civil War soldier statue originally installed 125 years ago to honor the 39 local men who died during the bloody conflict has been repaired and now needs a new home, according to the historical society.
“The statue is done and [Argyle artist Peter Crockett] has the base so near done that we‘re basically looking for a place to put it,” Marlene Doucette, historical society president, said Monday.
The statue was dedicated in 1890 at a downtown location known later by locals as Monument Square, but was moved five times over the years as the town changed and developed, until finally finding a home in Webster Park.
Historical society members don’t want the restored statue and monument returned to Webster Park, which is situated along the river, because that is where vandals damaged it several years ago.
“We want it somewhere right in town where he will be visible,” Doucette said. “Back where he started. We’ve been working on this for years.”
Historical society members have repeatedly reached out to the U.S. Postal Service about installing the statue on its property in downtown Orono, but those requests have been denied. They also are considering two areas near the town office, but both require the removal of trees, which is not recommended by the local Tree Board. Members were going to make a presentation and brainstorm with the Orono Town Council at Monday’s meeting, but the snowstorm postponed the gathering.
The life-sized metallic zinc figure wears a Civil War uniform and cap and has a militia overcoat draped over its right shoulder.
When the monument was placed at Webster Park vandals damaged it by removing the musket and bayonet. Mother Nature also helped damage the statue by expanding a crack in the cap into a split, and by buckling its base, Doucette said.
“He had a split personality,” she joked about the damage. “It created a gash from his hat to his chin. It was bad.”
After it was deemed too unsafe to be on public display, the town placed the statue in storage in 2008. The Orono Historical Society then decided to make it their mission to restore the monument and are still in the midst of fundraising to pay for repairs to the base.
Of the 70,000 Mainers who served in Maine military units during the Civil War, about 250 were from Orono, according to the Orono Historical Society. That means one out of every 10 able-bodied men in town volunteered to serve, and 39 never returned home. Town leaders erected the monument so future generations would never forget their sacrifice.
The historical society would like to rededicate the statue at Festival Days in September, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, fought between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
Doucette said those with ideas about where to place the statue can contact any historical society member or attend the upcoming council meeting, which as of Monday had yet to be rescheduled.
Those interested in making a contribution toward the restoration can contact or send a check to Orono Historical Society, PO Box 234, Orono, ME 04473.