MTC News

MTC Kicks off New Maintenance Program with Navy Chief Petty Officers and Boyscouts

 

WW1 Monument Gets a Cleaning



Meet Me at the Monument Oct 30 Chief/Boyscout Group

The U. S. Navy Chief Petty Officer’s Mess from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans descended upon City Park October 30th with a monumental mission in mind. The group of active duty sailors volunteered their time to help the Monumental Task Committee, Inc. (MTC), a local nonprofit preservation organization, clean a historical military monument that was erected by the American Legion in 1921 and dedicated to those sailors, soldiers, aviators, and marines that lost their lives in World War 1. The project was the first to fall under the MTC's newly developed Meet Me at the Monument Volunteer Maintenance Program, which allows social, educational and community groups to show pride in their city and neighborhoods by participating in quarterly monument cleaning and upkeep projects.

The ornate, concrete cast obelisk that received the cleaning is nestled under several large oak trees at the edge of New Orleans’ picturesque City Park. The monument sits atop a granite base and prior to the cleaning was suffering from severe dirt buildup, biological growth and graffiti. An inscription on the base reads: “In memory of our comrades who made the supreme sacrifice.”

With the assistance of preservation consultant and MTC volunteer, Jeanne Stallworth, the sailors and several local boy scouts applied a PH neutral soap to the piece and gently removed the residue and growth that had been accumulating on its surface for years.

“We were happy to become involved with this exciting endeavor, ” commented Master Chief Les Burl, the Command Master Chief of NAS JRB New Orleans. “We felt that it was important to give back to the community as well as to honor those service members that have gone before us. We are looking forward to working with the MTC on many more projects.”

After the monument received a general cleaning, a test sample of a specialized graffiti removal product was applied to facilitate the removal of green spray paint that was recently discovered on the right hand side of the column. The process to completely restore the monument is ongoing and will culminate in the application of an anti-graffiti coating that is designed to protect the surface from future graffiti damage.

“These sailors are amazing, ” said Pierre McGraw, the president and founder of the Monumental Task Committee, Inc. “They came out to the site, battled the Voodoo Fest traffic, listened intently to directions and set to work. Their attention to detail is precisely what was needed for this type of job. Because of their efforts, future generations of New Orleanians will be able to learn from and enjoy this significant piece of history and art. ”

To learn how your group can participate in the Meet Me at the Monument Maintenance Program, please contact the MTC at info@monumentaltask.org and put "Meet Me at the Monument Maintenance Program." in the subject line. To see more pictures of the event, visit the MTC facebook page.

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Upcoming MTC Events

  • Mar. 15- MTC Board Meeting 630 pm, 1134 Baronne Street

  • Mar 19- Meet Me at the Monument, Algiers Point

  • May 14-Meet Me at the Monument, J. Davis Pkwy I

  • Jun. 1-MTC Wed. at the Square

  • Aug. 6-Meet Me at the Monument, J. Davis Pkwy II

  • Oct. 29-Meet Me at the Monument

MTC To Clean MLK Monument


MLK Monument

The Monumental Task Committee, Inc. has set out to complete yet another important restoration project as part of its overall efforts to preserve the history and diversity of New Orleans through her beautiful monuments.

The Martin Luther King Monument, located on the corner of Felicity and South Claiborne Streets stands as a proud testament to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others that gave their lives for freedom and equality. The inscription on the monument reads, “I have a dream” and is accompanied by a short synopsis of Dr. King’s life and accomplishments. The piece highlights Dr. King’s ties to the city as well as the importance of his work to all mankind. The monument, erected in 1981 through the fund-raising efforts of Larry McKinley, Bishop Herman Brown, and Gus Louis, and Bertran Brown has seen its share of wear and soiling.

Jeanne Stallworth mixes poultice

The members of the Monumental Task Committee, Inc. have set out to restore this significant piece of New Orleans history back to its former grandeur with the assistance and expertise of volunteer conservator and ceramics expert, Jeanne Stallworth. Ms. Stallworth is a long-time New Orleans resident who cares deeply about the preservation of New Orleans past and the art that represents it. She has completed projects with the Arts Council of New Orleans and is excited to be spearheading the MLK project under the expert direction of Mary Jablonski of Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc. of New York, New York. Ms. Stallworth shared these thoughts on her work with the MTC, "I enjoy the hands-on aspect of conservation, seeing a piece come back to life. I am so happy to be a part of the MTC's efforts to preserve these bits of history for the citizens of New Orleans, for those that visit this great city and for those that will come after us."

Product testing began on June 24th and the entire project will include a full cleaning of the stone monument and base, as well as removal of natural growth from the bronze bust, and clean up of the surrounding area. Funds are still needed to complete the work. If you would like to make a donation towards the project, please visit our donation page, or mail your check to Monumental Task Committee, Inc. ATTN: MLK project 1134 Baronne Street New Orleans, LA 70119.