Nantucket commission, preservation groups press town for answers on Civil War monument repair

The Nantucket Historical Commission and local preservation groups pressed town staff on July 18 about a recent repair to the Civil War monument, saying the work used mismatched granite, is uneven and does not match the historic appearance.

The commission chair, Rita Carr, said commissioners had hoped to see a year of patina on new stone but that visible differences went beyond weathering: the new material is a different cut and finish and the top elevations of posts and the surrounding curb do not match the originals. "The granite that was used in the repair doesn't match the surrounding granite," Carr said.

At a hearing that included public comment from Michael Harrison, chief curator of the Nantucket Historical Association, and Mary Bergman of the Nantucket Preservation Trust, speakers said the repair diminished the monument's historic integrity and visibility. "It feels to us that the monument has not been repaired in a way that's consistent with its integrity and its appearance," Harrison said, offering a list of preservation firms and artisans who could source matching stone.

Commissioners and members of the public described several visible problems: new posts that sit higher than the original post; a finished surface dressed differently from surrounding stone; and soil and planting grades that appear altered around the base. Commissioner Sarah McClain suggested recutting the post tops and lowering the curb to align elevations; Commissioner George and others discussed the possibility that the contractor reduced the monument footprint during work, creating different grading around the planting bed.

Holly Backus, the town preservation planner and staff liaison, said the repair originated as an insurance claim and that the insurance company preselected the contractor. "They basically preselected this group to do this work," Backus said. She also said the town does have material on site but that staff have not yet received a full scope or vendor documentation. Backus asked the commission to send a consolidated list of questions so she can follow up with the Department of Public Works director, Drew.

The Nantucket Historical Association offered to help the town identify firms and stonemasons who can match stone and dressing; Harrison provided a list of three preservation and building-conservation firms for the commission and asked staff how best to submit it. Backus said she would accept the list and pass it on through the town channels.

No formal vote was taken. The commission directed staff to summarize the commission's outstanding questions and concerns and send them to the DPW director for clarification, with Backus to copy the commission on correspondence. Commissioners and preservation advocates said the town should consider whether insurance-driven selections limit the ability to secure specialized conservation work for historic stone features.

The commission said it will revisit the topic when staff report back with DPW responses and with any documentation about preexisting material and contractor scope.