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Bennington Monument work to proceed in phases; drying and monitoring precede major restoration
Summary
State historic preservation testimony described damage assessment and a multi‑year plan for the Bennington Battle Monument, including monitoring, removal of loose stone, and a multi‑year drying period before full restoration; congressional earmarks and phased work are planned.
The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation told the Senate Committee on Institutions that the Bennington Battle Monument requires phased work before full restoration can begin, and that the immediate focus will be monitoring, removing loose stone and designing scaffolding to allow the structure to dry.
Laura Treishman said severe winds and prior incomplete repairs have left the monument holding a large volume of water in its stonework; she cited a monitoring log showing the monument currently holds more than 66,000 gallons of water in its fabric. “The materials that are falling off the building now are 99% related to incorrect, incomplete restoration projects that took place in part,” she said. Trishman said repeated attempts to patch mortar have failed because the stone remains wet; the office therefore plans an enclosure or scaffolded enclosure to dry the monument before long‑term repair.
Trishman said repelling crews will remove loose materials and document cracks during a week of work starting May 13; the monument is scheduled to open for visitors on May 16 with temporary measures in place. She said the agency expects drying to take roughly three years before major restoration can proceed and described phased work to follow design, scaffolding and restoration. Trishman noted the full restoration estimate is large — she cited an approximate $40 million figure for complete work — but stressed the immediate steps are smaller, focused actions that will prepare the building for repair.
She told the committee the project has received congressionally directed spending earmarks that will fund archaeology at Monument Circle, repelling to remove loose materials and monitoring work; the state will prioritize design and scaffolding that allow the monument to breathe while drying.
Trishman also praised staff responsible for the monument’s care and identified a long‑serving site manager by name during testimony. Committee members asked about comparative expertise; Trishman said a team of contractors with experience on large stone monuments (including work on the Washington Monument and the Alamo) is advising the project.
Why it matters: The Bennington Battle Monument is one of the state’s most visited historic sites; restoring it is a major capital undertaking that will require phased design work, long drying timelines and specialized stone conservation skills.
