Foundry recasts missing parts for Grant Memorial

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Foundry recasts missing parts for Grant Memorial

A Philadelphia foundry pours molten bronze to create replacement parts for the Grant Memorial, a Washington, D.C., fixture currently undergoing an extensive...

Michael O'Connell@moconnellWFED

April 5, 2016 8:53 am

< a min read

Once they adequately cooled, the bronze parts are removed from their ceramic shells. Protruding from the sculptural elements are sawed off and the surface of the bronze pieces is smoothed and refined through process called chasing. This involves hammering, filing and polishing.

(Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol)

In spring 2015, the Architect of the Capitol began renovation efforts of the bronze monuments of the Grant Memorial located in Union Square in Washington, D.C. Work includes cleaning, waxing, repairing and conserving the existing bronze, and providing new bronze castings of missing or broken items.

Since the memorial was unveiled in 1922, many pieces have gone missing through vandalism or aging. The renovation is an opportunity for the Architect of the Capitol to restore the memorial as close to its original glory as possible.

In January, a foundry in Philadelphia began replicating missing bronze elements from the memorial, including buckles, swords, chain links and bridle parts.

Work is expected to be completed in time for the January 2017 presidential inauguration celebration.