The Coaster
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Asbury Park

City Historical Monuments Under Review

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
July 27, 2017
in Asbury Park
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

Asbury Park's World War One statue.
Asbury Park’s World War One statue.

By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI

Asbury Park draws visitors and tourists to the city for so many reasons: music, beaches, restaurants and art. But the next group of visitors making their way to the city may be history buffs.

Asbury Park Historical Society President Don Stine is joining forces with history buff Russ McIver and professional monument conservationist Douglas Distefano to inspect and restore several historical monuments in the city.

The trio has set its sites on three monuments including the Civil War monument on Cookman Avenue, the James A. Bradley Statue in Bradley Park at the beachfront and the bust of John F. Kennedy in Kennedy Park in the downtown area.

“The city should not let it’s monuments fall into disrepair, obviously,” Stine said. “This is city owned property. We are looking for the permission and ability and maybe equipment.”

He cited cherry pickers as equipment that could be useful in  inspecting the monuments. Inspections need to be made to provide information about the costs involved in repairing and restoring them.

Stine is hoping to get help from veterans groups, Civil War re-enactors and the county.

“Any defects we will need to address in a meaningful way,” he said.

Stine said the Civil War monument has granite pillars surrounding it which are connected with a plastic chain.

“We will replace that,” he said of the chain.

Speaking of the James A. Bradley statue he said he would like to see beachfront developers Madison Marquette involved.

“It behooves them to keep these monuments in good shape,” he said.

McIver of Allenhurst is working with the Monmouth County Historical Society to prepare a historical tour of Asbury Park to take place next year.

Addressing the Civil War monument, McIver said, “The Civil War monument deserves some attention. It honors the Civil War and veterans but it’s a historical artifact in and of itself. It’s worthy of restoration.”

McIver said he has learned that the two cannons located at the site were once used on The USS Cricket, which was the flag ship used by General Ulysses S. Grant when he patrolled the Ohio River.

The statue located at the site was installed in 1893 for Memorial Day but McIver noted that there are still facts about the monument that are being researched.

“There are two different stories we’ve heard, but we’ll find out,” he said.

As far as the Bradley statue, McIver said it was installed in 1922. With the centennial only five years away McIver said he would like to see the area in good repair for the 100 year anniversary.

“It would be cool to have it restored; it’s kind of neglected,” he said. “There are weeds around it and the marble needs to be cleaned.”

McIver, however, said the monuments should be cleaned and restored but not made to look brand new. Keeping them in good repair could discourage vandals, especially after a WWI monument was vandalized in Belmar recently.

Besides restoring the monuments McIver said he wants to let people know they are there.

“It’s something people should know about and care about,” he said.

Distefano, of Rumson, is owner of Monument Conservation Partners, a company which restores bronze, wood and historical items. He said he became involved about six months ago when he approached the City Council and was redirected to the APHS.

Distefano also expressed concern about the Civil War monument.

“That really needs to get done, there are cracks and we’re worried about freezing,” he said.

He said the first step would be hopefully using one of the city’s cherry pickers to do a proper inspection of the monument.

Distefano said working with the city would be a perfect private/public partnership model.

He is hoping to raise funds, possibly from the business community, to complete the restorations.

With so many visitors now coming to town, it would add one more area of interest.

“It’s such a booming town right now,” Distefano said.

Related Posts

Mardi Gras Returns to Asbury Park

Mardi Gras Returns to Asbury Park

February 6, 2023
Police Seeking Potential Entrepreneurs  Among Asbury Park Youth

Asbury Park Homicide Investigated

February 6, 2023
Asbury Park’s New Athletic Director

City School Chief Urges ‘Respectful and Open Dialogue’

February 1, 2023
Police Seeking Potential Entrepreneurs  Among Asbury Park Youth

Possible Bias-Motivated Event Investigated by Law Enforcement

January 31, 2023
In Asbury Park Steps Taken to Create Citizen Review Board

County Prosecutor Partners With City Court for Recovery Program

January 30, 2023
‘Concert for George’ at ShowRoom

Critically Aclaimed Movies Now At ShowRoom in Asbury Park

January 30, 2023

Trending This Week

neptune police car

Neptune Police Make Burglary, Robbery Arrest

February 6, 2023
Police Seeking Potential Entrepreneurs  Among Asbury Park Youth

Asbury Park Homicide Investigated

February 6, 2023
Neptune City to Consider More Locations for Sale of Cannabis

Ocean Township Amends Cannabis Ordinance

February 1, 2023
Asbury Park’s New Athletic Director

City School Chief Urges ‘Respectful and Open Dialogue’

February 1, 2023

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved.