An irreplaceable loss

The sad state of the 11th Massachusetts top stone after last February's vandalism.

Photo taken February 22, 2006 (MJW)

Update:

"We have been unsuccessful so far in our
search for a three-dimensional model for
the 11th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Monument, which featured a carved granite
arm holding a sword. When vandals pulled
the top stone and sculpture off its base, the
sculpture was shattered and pieces of the
forearm and hand were stolen, along with a
bronze sword. The park has a pattern for the
sword because it had been stolen in the 1990s
and park staff had replicated a new one.
Sculpting the new granite arm will be very
difficult without a model. The Boston Herald
ran a story asking for the public’s help and
as a result the park has been in contact with
descendants of the original granite company
that sculpted the monument. They have
written records and some drawings but they
no longer have any models or copies.
Estimates for the repair costs for Smith’s
Battery and the 11th Massachusetts
monuments and the historic fence are
between $55,000 and $65,000. As of May
11, 2006, the park has received 68 donations
from organizations and individuals, totaling
$12,560 for the needed repairs."