File:GNMP Arthur Voothess Alabama Memorial Description Oct. 1988 (f94d95f2-41a7-4e28-887d-d033462f9561).jpg

White paper with typed black text

Alabama Monument Preservation/Maintenance, October, 1988 Alabama State memorial (1933) Structure no. MN366 IDLCS 09954 South Confederate Avenue Gettysburg National Military Park The monument features a slightly larger than life-size grouping of two soldiers with the female spirit of the Confederacy between them, pointing towards the viewer and the Union positions beyond. This bronze grouping rests on a granite base with a granite backwall. Above the figures, in bronze letters, is the state name. Surrounding the monument is a rough stone plaza, edged with granite sections. The monument had not been treated since it’s dedication in 1933, and showed signs of heavy corrosion and staining. The bronze group was covered with mottled green corrosion, and stained black in areas not affected by the direct run-off of water. Run-off from the bronze had left streaks and stains on the granite base, and at least 20% of the pointing was bad or missing. The plaza mortar had deteriorated and the granite curbs were uneven and pushed outwards. Many of the stones in the walkway were loose and uneven also. Work began in the first week of October. Treatment: The bronze grouping was initially treated with one coat of Dupont brand paint remover (no. 5662 S) to remove the dirt and dead wax coating. Blasting with Type II walnut shells at 30 PSI removed the corrosion and was used over the entire surface. The bronzes were then washed with Igepal C-630 detergent and de-ionized water under high pressure. Due to the breakdown of the old wax, bright spots shown through the original patina and these were very lightly touched up with ferric nitrate, 3 table spoons per gall of de-ionized water. Wiped clean, the metal was heated with propane torches and a coat of wax applied. The bronze letters were treated same as above: walnut shell blasting, followed by a wash with a warm liquid solution of 1% BTA and then well rinsed. Each letter was heated and then waxed and buffed as above. (NOTE: the wax is a mixture of 40% beeswax, 40% microcrystalline 190, 20% polyethylene glycol 150, and a 3% solution of benzotriazole.) The stone base of the monument was washed with IGEPAL C-630 detergent, scrubbed with soft bristle brushes, and rinsed with high pressure de-ionized water. Areas of heavy green staining were treated with ProSoCo brand stain remover. Old pointing on the base was cut out and replaced with new pointing of type N mortar (55-60% Portland cement, 40-45% lime) in a mix of three parts sand to 1 part cement. The stones in the plaza were taken out and each set aside in a pattern to easily reset them in place. Once the stones were out, the granite curbs were set square. Grey type mortar was used in a ratio of two parts sand to one part mortar to set a base for each plaza stone, and was used for the pointing around each in the plaza. The joints between the granite edges were then repointed. This phase of the project ended Oct. 19, 1888 [sic]. The monument bronzes still required a cold wax treatment and caulking. Arthur Voorhees Exhibit Specialist Gettysburg National Military Park

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