Conservation Projects: 1997

David Berger Monument
by David E. Davis (1975)
Mayfield Jewish Community Center
Cleveland Heights, OH

Conserved August 1997.

Two gussets were installed in each leg of the monument to insure structural soundness; a smaller portion of the damaged front and back portion was also trimmed; additional welds were added both inside and at the base, where the gusset plate meets the anchor plate. The base was repaired except the one segment which had a circular bronze plaque upon it. The rust was removed and plaque remounted. The upper portion, consisting of ten half circles, was freed of rust and dirt accumulations.

The Ideal Boy Scout
by Robert Tait McKenzie (1937)
Boy Scouts of America
Cleveland, OH

Conserved August 1997.

The Ideal Boy Scout was cleaned by using a pressure washer. A non-ionic detergent and bronze wool was used to aid in reducing friable green corrosive products. The joint between the shoe soles and self base was closed by chasing the edges together to strengthen the area. The remaining void along this joint was filled with wax to preclude water infiltration. The joint between the sculpture and its stone base was filled with an epoxy putty dough. A patina was applied to the surface of the figure and the plaque. The surface of the sculpture was hot waxed and then a cold paste wax was applied.

Jesse Owens, Olympic Champion
by William M. McVey (1982)
Fort Huntington Park
Cleveland, OH

Conserved July 1997.

Jesse Owens was gently washed with non-ionic detergent and soft bristle brushes, then rinsed with low pressure water. Microcrystalline wax was applied to warmed metal and buffed when dry and cool. An additional coat of wax was applied to cold metal, then buffed. The plaque was treated similarly and the letters were polished and sealed with Incralac.

Luke Easter
by William M. McVey (1980)
Woodland Hills Park
Cleveland, OH

Conserved July 1997.

The Luke Easter sculpture was gently washed with non-ionic detergent and soft bristle brushes, then rinsed with low pressure water. Microcrystalline wax was applied to warmed metal and buffed when dry and cool. An additional coat of wax was applied to cold metal, then buffed. The plaque was treated similarly and the letters were polished and sealed with Incralac.

Hugh O’Neill Memorial
by Victor Schreckengost (1949)
Cleveland Police Stables
Cleveland, OH

Conserved July 1997.

This memorial was gently washed with non-ionic detergent and soft bristle brushes, then rinsed with low pressure water. Microcrystalline wax was applied to warmed metal and buffed when dry and cool. An additional coat of wax was applied to cold metal, then buffed. The plaque was treated similarly and the letters were polished and sealed with Incralac.

If you would like more information about outdoor sculpture conservation and associated educational activities, please contact The Sculpture Center at 216.229.6527.