Meeting Date: March 10, 2022
To: Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission
From: Revee Needham, Assistant City Planner
Natalie Draper, Library Director
Title
Discuss Civil War Memorial in Bridge Square.
Body
Action Requested: Discuss Civil War Memorial in Bridge Square.
Summary Report:
In the Bridge Square public input so far, there has been some discussion among community members and members of City Council regarding the language used on the Civil War memorial monument in Bridge Square, more specifically about the omission of any mention of slavery as the cause of the Civil War, and the implications of that omission. Images of the Civil War memorial monument are attached.
There is an opportunity, as Bridge Square is reimagined to be a more people centered and inclusive space, to proactively and positively right this error of omission by adding culturally sensitive, artistic and historic context, which honors the abolitionist founding of Northfield, while preserving the original monument in place and unchanged. The current plaque on the monument is more representative of attitudes about the war and its aftermath in the 1920s than it is a historical reflection of the realities of the war and its outcomes.
One possible solution is to add some additional signage or information near the Civil War Memorial in Bridge Square. This presents an opportunity to re-contextualize the status and plaque without altering the historical integrity and significance. Following the Standards for Rehabilitation under Alterations/Additions for the New Use, additions should be “planned, designed, and installed to be clearly differentiated from the character-defining features, so that these features are not radically changed, obscured, damaged, or destroyed.” Additions have been made to other statues and plaques throughout the United States without changing the status on the National Register of Historic Places. Input from the HPC about how context could be incorporated from a preservation standpoint is welcomed. This discussion also ties into an item on the HPC’s work plan to add signage along the Riverwalk to add minority voices and history to Northfield’s story.
For reference, view this list of sources: Standing Soldiers, Kneeling Slaves by Kirk Savage, How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. But what of Union Civil War Monuments? <https://www.journalofthecivilwarera.org/2020/10/but-what-of-union-civil-war-monuments-the-shortcomings-of-northern-civil-war-commemoration/>.
At the moment, one idea proposed is to add a sidewalk medallion in the ground near the Civil War Memorial. An example of a sidewalk medallion is included below, which is but one of many possible iterations of historic markers.
Alternative Options: N/A
Financial Impacts: N/A
Tentative Timeline: This is a preliminary discussion. Any proposed changes will occur in future phases after additional input. A public art subcommittee may be formed for the review.