Roswell P. Flower Monument

The Governor Roswell Pettibone Flower Monument, located in the Public Square Historic District in Watertown, NY, is a commemorative statue which honors the only native northern New Yorker to have been elected governor of the state. Fundraising for the heroic-size bronze sculpture began in 1899 following the death of the Governor. By May 1900 three men began work on the statue: Henry Bacon, the architect who designed the granite pedestal; Augustus Saint Gaudens, the main sculptor; and Louis St. Gaudens, who modeled the New York State seal and the eagles. The bronze was cast by the Henry Bonnard Bronze Company of New York City. The statue was unveiled in September 1902 to one of the largest crowds assembled in downtown Watertown.

IEverGreene was brought in to perform the an assessment of and conservation treatments on the statue, which hadn’t been treated in many years. Work was performed as part of the statue’s centennial celebration and rededication. Treatment emphasized minimal intervention by using the least aggressive means possible to achieve the most successful conservation results. Prior to beginning work EverGreene performed a detailed conditions assessment and treatment testing to identify mechanisms of deterioration and the most effective methods and materials for treatment. Treatment included:

• Stone: cleaning to remove general soiling, biological growth, carbon crusts, and staining; dutchman repairs of two major breaks using stock salvaged from other site stones; removal and repointing of mortar joints; and installation of lead strip caps in areas susceptible to premature mortar failure.
• Bronze: cleaning to remove remnants of old coatings and corrosion; full re-patination to a green-brown patina; application of protective hot and cold wax coatings.

EverGreene returned in several times to perform conditions assessments and conservation treatments on the monument. Each time EverGreene performed similar procedures to the original treatment, including overall cleaning of the bronze and stone, selective repatination of the bronze, and reapplication of hot and cold protective wax coatings. Repointing and repair of lead joints was also performed as needed. In order to help facilitate treatment long term, City personnel were trained by EverGreene to perform general conservation maintenance. Training included: how to identify basic conditions that could adversely affect the memorial, how to perform an aqueous cleaning and apply protective wax coatings using conservation methods, including learning about the correct tools and equipment, and how to produce a record of maintenance.