Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn Mount Auburn as a Muse | Page 16

Preservation: Two Treasures Restored
Among Mount Auburn’s collection of approximately
44,000 memorials, there are a number of highly significant
monuments that contribute to the Cemetery’s national
importance. These monuments are deemed significant for a
variety of reasons. They are either rare or unique works of
art, represent the work of a renowned artist, are associated
with one of our notable residents, or are reflective of an
important period in our country’s history. They are only a
small part of the Cemetery’s cultural landscape yet they are
essential in telling Mount Auburn’s story. Many of these
significant monuments need preservation work. The Robert
Gould Shaw Monument and the Nathaniel Bowditch
Statue are two examples of such treasures that have recently
been conserved.
The Shaw Monument was
erected in 1848 by Robert Gould
Shaw (1776-1853). Designed
by noted architect Hammatt
Billings, and executed by
distinguished artisan Alpheus
Cary, the monument holds great
artistic significance. The later
addition of a panel to com-
memorate Shaw’s grandson, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw
(1837-1863), Civil War commander of the 54th Massachusetts
Regiment, brought the historic monument national significance
as well. In 2011, a family member, Mr. S. Parkman Shaw,
made a generous
donation to the
Cemetery for the
much-needed
restoration of
the large family
monument, the
surrounding
cast-iron lot
fence, and the
grounds of
his family lot.
Throughout the
summer, work
on this exciting
landmark project
Bowditch descendants Brooks Preston (left) and
included washing
his parents, Frederic and Granthia Preston, visited
and conservation
Mount Auburn during our 180th celebration to see
the completed conservation of the Bowditch Statue.
of the central
14 | Sweet Auburn
monument and work on the underground tomb. The lot
fence is currently being restored and will be back in place
in the spring.
“We are grateful for the generous gift to restore the Shaw
Monument and fervently hope that other families will follow
suit to help the Cemetery care for their significant works
of art and horticulture at Mount Auburn,” says Curator of
Historical Collections Meg L. Winslow.
The Bowditch Statue, created by the notable sculptor R.
Ball Hughes, commemorates self-taught mathematician and
astronomer, Nathaniel Bowditch
(1773-1838). Originally created in
1847, it was the first life-size bronze
statue cast in the United States. The
statue was later re-cast at the Gruet
Jeune Fondeur in Paris in 1886, and
this second casting stands in the
Cemetery today overlooking Cen-
tral Avenue from a prominent rise.
Over time, the surface of the statue
had become streaked with corrosion.
A build-up of oils, once used to treat
the bronze, began to obscure the
details of the sculpture. Conservation
treatment this past summer included
filling in cracks and pits, removing
old coatings and corrosion, and
repatination to restore the statue’s
original bronze finish. “He’s smiling
once again” a recent visitor remarked.
On your next visit to Mount
Auburn, make sure to stop by the
Bowditch Statue and Shaw Monument
to see firsthand the remarkable
difference that these conservation
efforts can make. Less visible, but
equally important is the critical
effect preservation has in extending
the longevity of these treasures for
all to appreciate. These two monu-
ments are tangible examples of the
work that can be accomplished
with your support, and there are
many other cultural artifacts in our
collection that are being lost to the
elements.
If you can help fund another of
our priority preservation projects,
please contact Vice President of
Above, left: Conservation work
Development Jane M. Carroll at
being done to the Shaw Monument
617-607-1919.
Above: Progression of restoration
to the Bowditch Statue