Not Just Confederates! yankee Pols Debate Bennington Monument Future
With $40M worth of restoration needed, Vermonters debate future of Bennington Battle Monument
(We could always ship them some ‘diversity’ up there to work on it at a cut rate… – DD)
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After decades of deferred maintenance, the 306-foot Bennington Battle Monument, with its stone sodden in approximately 66,000 gallons of water, is in desperate need of restoration work.
James Duggan, the state’s director of preservation for state historic sites, said the total cost of the restoration effort — including removing moisture and strengthening the walls and foundation — would amount to $40 million, or even more if action is not taken soon.
The monument is Vermont’s most-frequented historic site, attracting 40,000 visitors last year with over $275,000 accrued in state revenue, according to Duggan’s presentation to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions on Feb. 4.
“Nothing is being done while we’re thinking about how to get some traction and moving forward,” Duggan said during the presentation. “That is going to continue to increase the amount of deterioration, as well as increase the costs and the amount of work that has to be finished later.”
Since the $40 million price tag for the restoration was revealed last month, debate has ensued over whether saving the monument is worth the cost…
Deo Vindice Resurgam! #FreeDixie