FY22 Veterans Memorial Grant
The City of Waconia is partnering with American Legion Post 150 to fully restore the following three monuments in our City Square Park:
- Civil War Soldiers Monument = Dedicated in 1892 to recognize 559 Carver County soldiers who died during the Civil War.
- Civil War Cannon = Manufactured in 1846 and obtained for the village of Waconia in 1897 via the US Government Obsolete Civil War Cannon Program.
- World War I Veterans Monument = Dedicated in 1929 to recognize 122 Carver County Veterans from the World War I conflict.
Our objective of the project is to complete the full restoration and environmental improvements for one monument per year for the next three years, targeting a rededication ceremony on Memorial Day each year.
All restoration work will be carried out as prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior standards for the treatment of historic properties. The goal being to ensure that each monument is not only restored but restored as close as possible to their original condition. Environmental improvements will include the installation of adequate buffer zones with protective barriers, nighttime lighting, new concrete pads (where necessary), and interpretive signage to better share the historical significance of each monument.
Martin Howes, Veteran; Ashley Laganiere, Veteran; Lul Osman, OGM; Sarah Hernandez, OGM; Greg Peterson, Veteran; Jenna Schmidtke, Veteran; Kenneth Voigt, Veteran
$72,750 in Fiscal Year 2022 and $72,750 in Fiscal Year 2023 are for a competitive grants program to provide grants to local units of government for veterans memorials to preserve the culture and heritage of Minnesota. The local unit of government must provide a nonstate cash match equal to the amount of the grant received under this paragraph.?
Success of the project will be measured by comparing the historical record for each monument against post restoration condition. The objective being historically accurate restoration.
OUTPUTS:
1. Full historical restoration of the following 3 monuments in Waconia City Square Park as prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
-Civil War Soldiers Monument dedicated in 1892 to recognize 559 Caver County soldiers who died during the Civil War.
-Civil War Cannon manufactured in 1846 and obtained for the Village of Waconia for City Square Park in 1897 via the US Government Obsolete Civil War Cannon Program.
-World War 1 Veterans Monument dedicated in 1929 to recognize 122 Carver County Veterans who fought in World War 1.
2. The installation of the following environmental elements for all 3 monuments
-Buffer zone with protective barrier (i.e. ? historically accurate fencing or stanchions with wrought iron chain)
-Night time lighting elements
-Interpretive signs with the history of the associated monument
3. Establish an operational management plan for ongoing maintenance/care of all 3 monuments by the City of Waconia.
OUTCOMES:
1. Ensure that the usable/functional life for each monument can be successfully extended for another 100 years.
2. Increase appreciation, interest, understanding, and knowledge regarding the history of military service in Carver County.