Re: GDG- Gettysburgâ?Ts 6th New York Cavalry Monument Damaged by Lightning

[Lisa Malandra]

The local NBC affiliate here in Gettysburg ran live footage of the damage on 
tonight's news.  I hadn't been out to see it and had only seen still photos 
until tonight.  Mother Nature is an awesome power!  The damage is much more 
extensive than I realized.  Vic Gavin was interviewed and explained some of 
the damage.  I'm not sure if the news cast is live on their website, but it 
may be worthwhile checking out at www.wgal.com.
Lisa Malandra

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Lawrence" <lawrence at rwlcpa.com>
To: "'GDG'" <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 4:33 PM
Subject: GDG- Gettysburgâ?Ts 6th New York Cavalry Monument Damaged by 
Lightning


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National Park Service

 U.S. Department of the        Gettysburg            97 Taneytown Road
 Interior                      National Military     Gettysburg, PA 17325
                               Park
                                                     717/334-1124 phone
                                                     717/ 334-1891 fax






Gettysburg National Military Park News Release

For Release: October 30, 2007
Contact: Katie Lawhon
Phone: 717/ 334-1124 x452


Gettysburgâ?Ts 6th New York Cavalry Monument Damaged by Lightning




Officials at Gettysburg National Military Park are still assessing the

damage done by a lightning strike on October 9 th that seriously damaged

the monument to the 6th New York Cavalry.



The monument dates to 1889 and is composed of rough hewn and smooth

granite, standing 26 feet high on a 14 x 10 foot base. It has a tower with

turrets at each corner. Horse heads cap the pilasters. The monument

features a bronze relief on the west face and an information tablet on the

east side. It was designed by Frederick and Field and is located near the

center of Buford Avenue, in the northwest part of the Gettysburg

Battlefield.



Components of the stonework were blown free by the strike, and many of the

stone components were displaced when mortar joints failed.



The parkâ?Ts monument preservation experts have stored loose pieces of the

monument and plan to stabilize it for the winter season using straps and

possibly tarps.



According to Vic Gavin, the head of the parkâ?Ts monument preservation

branch, â?oThe damage may be even worse inside the structure where lightning

superheated the moisture that is naturally present in the stone and

mortar.�



â?oWe may have to totally disassemble it to repair the damage,â? said 
Gavin.

â?oBecause of staff limitations, we will very likely need to use a

private-sector restoration firm.�



National Park Service damage estimates are in the $100,000 range.



A park neighbor reported hearing lightning in the area at the approximate

time of the strike. The last known lightning strike on a Gettysburg

monument was in the 1930s on the 58 th New York monument which is nearby.


                                   -NPS-


Photo attached: The 6th New York Cavalry monument at Gettysburg National
Military Park the morning after it was struck by lightning.  Photo courtesy
Gettysburg National Military Park.


 (See attached file: DSCN0154.JPG)



Experience Your AmericaTM


The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American
people so that all may experience our heritage.




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