INFORMATION ON RESTORERS
(OUTDOOR MONUMENTS)
Earl D. Goldsmith, The Woodlands, Texas
[Editor's note: Earl passed away March 6, 2018.]
Note: Due to passage of time, some of the contact people mentioned below may no longer be at the addresses, phone numbers, or screen names given. E-mail addresses have been "phonetically" displayed (username at domain dot com). Please "translate" them yourself by replacing the appropriate "@" and "." symbols and type them into your e-mail program. This helps deter the harvesting of e-mail addresses by Internet spam robots.
Information on the repair or restoration of Viquesney's miniature Doughboy can be found on this page.
Anniston, Alabama was seriously considering a restoration of their Doughboy in 2001. A conservator, Shelley Reisman Paine Conservation, 2407 Sunset Place, Nashville, TN 37212, 612-269-4247, shelley (at) srpaine (dot) com or conservq (at) srpaine (dot) com, performed a survey of restoration needs and estimated the cost for them. I don’t know if the project went forward, or, if so, the identity of the restorer and satisfaction with the result. The Anniston person in charge was Tammy Chapman, Director, Parks and Recreation Department, City of Anniston, P. O. Box 2168, Anniston, AL 36202, 256-236-8221.
Bessemer, Alabama, Liberty, Kentucky, Mason City, Iowa, Marion, Ohio, and St. Bernard, Ohio Doughboys have all been restored by Mercene Karkadoulias (now deceased) and/or Karkadoulias Bronze Art, 4903 Paddock Road, Cincinnati, OH 45327, (513) 751-5375. Mercene’s company has the most experience on Viquesney Doughboys of anyone with whom I’ve had personal contact, but Venus Bronze Works of Detroit (See Naperville, Illinois below) might have as much. Mercene did an extensive restoration for Bessemer in 1999 that included replacement of the missing left hand, rifle and bayonet. A Bessemer person who could provide details is L. Ray Morris, Jr., G. I. S. Administrator, Bessemer Industrial Development Board, 1800 Third Avenue North, Third Floor, Bessemer, AL 35020, 205-424-4060. Mercene’s company completely rebuilt the Liberty, Kentucky Doughboy in 1982-83 after it was destroyed by a utility truck – the Smithsonian lists her former husband as the sculptor. She has restored more than one outdoor sculpture in Mason City. Mason City details might be obtained at 641-423-0636 from Art Fishbeck, a very knowledgeable local historian. He's willing to talk if you can catch him, but he may not be able to do more. I’ve seen the Mason City Doughboy and it appears to be in very good condition. Mercene’s former husband’s 1993 work in Marion, OH, was very extensive. DAR member Jan Augenstein, 1060 Richland Rd. Marion, OH 43302-6717, 740-389-1923 can describe it. If not, she’s suggested Val Flavell, 531 Vimini Drive, Marion 43302, Chairman of the Doughboy Restoration Committee. 740-383-5392 is listed as the phone number for C. L. Flavell at that address. A 1990 letter by a former mayor of St. Bernard, Ohio (Cincinnati suburb) has very complimentary comments about work Mercene’s company did there in 1971. I’ve talked with Mercene several times and know she’s very interested in preserving historical sculptures. In our most recent conversation in 2006, I learned she has turned the actual work over to family members, but actively supervises their activities.
The Fort Smith, Arkansas Doughboy was restored in 1996-98 by Ralph Irwin, 1500 N. 10th St., Van Buren, AR 72956-2662, 479-471-5406. Information about him and the project can be obtained from Bob Nunnery, Adjutant, Ellig-Stoufer American Legion Post No. 31, 4902 Midland Avenue, Ft. Smith 72904. I have seen it and it appears to be in very good condition.
Bethel, Connecticut’s Doughboy was restored in 1987 by Hugo Greco of Greco Industries, 14 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT 06801-2858, 203-798-7804, fax: 203-778-6529, e-mail: greco86 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net in a project that included re-attaching the left hand and rifle, and making a bayonet replacement. Additional work was done in 2002 after the rifle was bent in another act of vandalism. Information about Bethel’s acceptance might be obtained from Lisa Bergh, Bethel Town Clerk, at 203-794-8505, berghl (at) betheltownhall (dot) org, or from someone she suggests.
Sarasota, Florida wasn’t a restoration. Frank Colson (now deceased), Colson Studio/School of Art, Inc., 1666 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL 34329, 1-888-211-3740, cell 941-321-0129, cast a completely new Doughboy in 1998 using molds made from the one in nearby Clearwater – and another in 2002 for Columbia, South Carolina. Both these copies are rather rough-looking casts compared to the actual original pressed copper Viquesney Doughboy, and some of the details, like the grenade-throwing arm and angle of the tree stumps on the base are mispositioned. But Mr. Colson and his son also did an excellent restoration of the original Clearwater Doughboy and Sailor in 2006 and they appear to be in very good condition in photos that have been taken.
Americus, Georgia had a restoration project, including reattaching the left hand, arm and rifle, in 1995. It was performed by Erling Labert and David Asbell, but I don’t know how to contact them. John Carroll, 181 Quail Trail, Americus, GA 31709, 912-924-8751 (home) or 912-924-9352 (work) was in charge in Americus and would probably be willing to provide information, but might be difficult to reach. The hand and rifle had fallen back off by 1999 when I saw it, but Mr. Carroll told me they have been reattached since then.
The Chicago, Illinois Doughboy that was rededicated at Soldier Field in the fall of 2003 was a massive restoration of one that had been removed from Garfield Park in the 1960s and placed in storage after extensive and severe vandalism. The work was performed by Andrzej Dajnowski of Conservation of Sculpture and Objects Studio, Inc., 900 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130, 773-584-1451, cell 773-480-0483, info (at) csoinc (dot) com. I’ve talked with him about it and about the survey he did regarding restoration of the Naperville, IL Doughboy mentioned below. He has a very large reputation and is extremely busy doing work for the Chicago Parks District’s many sculptures. There’s quite a bit of information about him on the Internet. I can give you the name of a contact person in the Chicago Parks District if you want more information about him. Chicago's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank", Viquesney's tribute to the G.I. of WWII, was excellently restored by Jane Foley of Litas Liparini Restoration Studio, 823 Main St Evanston IL 60202.
The Herrin, Illinois, Doughboy Committee chose Medwedeff Forge & Design, a firm in Murphysboro, Illinois, to do the restoration work on its Doughboy.
Naperville, Illinois had a very extensive restoration in 2002-3 done by Giorgio Gikas, Venus Bronze Works, 13401 Mount Elliott St., Detroit, MI, 313-891-5151. Among other things, he replaced the left hand, bayonet and rifle. Venus Bronze Works has performed other Doughboy restorations, the latest currently underway (November 2019 - May 2020) being the Doughboy at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Hobart, Indiana had a restoration in 2001. Michael E. Ellis, Director, Hobart Parks and Recreation Department, 18 E. Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN 46342-4355 (don’t have phone info) might be able to provide details. It is possible that Anddrzej Dajnowski (mentioned earlier) was involved in some capacity. Jerry Kegebein, 1511 East North Street, Hobart, IN 46342, 219-942-4062 was very heavily involved for American Legion Post # 54. He might be the post adjutant – the post phone is 219-947-2054. Repairs to the Spencer, Indiana Doughboy vandalized in November 2008 were done by Adam Nahas of Cyclops Studios, Bloomington, Indiana. Cleaning maintenance has also been performed by Himec Corp. of Tell City, Indiana http://himeccorp.com/industrial-cleaners.html.
Winchester, Kentucky had a major restoration in 1986 performed by conservators from Washington University (St. Louis). A very good source of information on it is Retired Col. Jerry Cecil (West Pointer) at jerrycecil (at) bellsouth (dot) net. His is very complimentary about the work and has referred Washington, U. to others, but the adjutant of the Columbia, Illinois American Legion Post was less complimentary in comments about metal reactions to a chemical they used there. Washington U. might have performed work on some others.
Crisfield, Maryland had restoration work in 2000. I don’t know who did the work, but Andrzej Dajnowski of Chicago (mentioned earlier) might because he went to Crisfield to study that one to prepare to do the massive work on the one placed at Soldier Field. James T. Sterling, 15 Asbury Ave., Crisfield, MD 21817, 410-968-1761 might be a good source of information, too. He took photos that he sent me on two occasions.
Winchendon, Massachusetts had a 1997 restoration by Jeffrey Bronness of Royalston Arts Foundry, P. O. Box 89, Royalston, MA 01368, 978-575-999 and 1-800-901-ARTS. His website at contains details of the Winchendon work, which included making a new hand, rifle and bayonet. The Veteran of Foreign Wars, 63 Glenallen Street, Winchendon 01475, 617-197-2585 was involved, as was Clifford P. Beauvais, 305 Benjamin Street, P. O. Box 279, Winchendon, MA 01475, perhaps on behalf of the VFW. Charles Grout, county Veterans Affairs Officer, was also involved.
St. Joseph, Michigan had a 1998 restoration that apparently had very satisfactory results but I don’t know the restorer. Information might be obtained from Rory Dickey, Supervisor of Parks and Forestry, City Hall, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
The New Ulm, Minnesota Doughboy was destroyed by vandalism in 1995 and entirely rebuilt in bronze by Innocast Execuline, 1315 Sixth Street, Howard Lake, Minnesota, 55302, 1-800-253-2178, Fax:1-612-340-9898. I’ve seen the excellent replacement. The company used molds made from the original parts of the destroyed statue to create the replacement. They also retained those molds and used them to create another outstanding bronze replacement for the city of Jamestown, Kentucky, whose original Doughboy was destroyed in an automobile accident in 2008.
Information on the repair or restoration of Viquesney's miniature Doughboy can be found on this page.
Anniston, Alabama was seriously considering a restoration of their Doughboy in 2001. A conservator, Shelley Reisman Paine Conservation, 2407 Sunset Place, Nashville, TN 37212, 612-269-4247, shelley (at) srpaine (dot) com or conservq (at) srpaine (dot) com, performed a survey of restoration needs and estimated the cost for them. I don’t know if the project went forward, or, if so, the identity of the restorer and satisfaction with the result. The Anniston person in charge was Tammy Chapman, Director, Parks and Recreation Department, City of Anniston, P. O. Box 2168, Anniston, AL 36202, 256-236-8221.
Bessemer, Alabama, Liberty, Kentucky, Mason City, Iowa, Marion, Ohio, and St. Bernard, Ohio Doughboys have all been restored by Mercene Karkadoulias (now deceased) and/or Karkadoulias Bronze Art, 4903 Paddock Road, Cincinnati, OH 45327, (513) 751-5375. Mercene’s company has the most experience on Viquesney Doughboys of anyone with whom I’ve had personal contact, but Venus Bronze Works of Detroit (See Naperville, Illinois below) might have as much. Mercene did an extensive restoration for Bessemer in 1999 that included replacement of the missing left hand, rifle and bayonet. A Bessemer person who could provide details is L. Ray Morris, Jr., G. I. S. Administrator, Bessemer Industrial Development Board, 1800 Third Avenue North, Third Floor, Bessemer, AL 35020, 205-424-4060. Mercene’s company completely rebuilt the Liberty, Kentucky Doughboy in 1982-83 after it was destroyed by a utility truck – the Smithsonian lists her former husband as the sculptor. She has restored more than one outdoor sculpture in Mason City. Mason City details might be obtained at 641-423-0636 from Art Fishbeck, a very knowledgeable local historian. He's willing to talk if you can catch him, but he may not be able to do more. I’ve seen the Mason City Doughboy and it appears to be in very good condition. Mercene’s former husband’s 1993 work in Marion, OH, was very extensive. DAR member Jan Augenstein, 1060 Richland Rd. Marion, OH 43302-6717, 740-389-1923 can describe it. If not, she’s suggested Val Flavell, 531 Vimini Drive, Marion 43302, Chairman of the Doughboy Restoration Committee. 740-383-5392 is listed as the phone number for C. L. Flavell at that address. A 1990 letter by a former mayor of St. Bernard, Ohio (Cincinnati suburb) has very complimentary comments about work Mercene’s company did there in 1971. I’ve talked with Mercene several times and know she’s very interested in preserving historical sculptures. In our most recent conversation in 2006, I learned she has turned the actual work over to family members, but actively supervises their activities.
The Fort Smith, Arkansas Doughboy was restored in 1996-98 by Ralph Irwin, 1500 N. 10th St., Van Buren, AR 72956-2662, 479-471-5406. Information about him and the project can be obtained from Bob Nunnery, Adjutant, Ellig-Stoufer American Legion Post No. 31, 4902 Midland Avenue, Ft. Smith 72904. I have seen it and it appears to be in very good condition.
Bethel, Connecticut’s Doughboy was restored in 1987 by Hugo Greco of Greco Industries, 14 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT 06801-2858, 203-798-7804, fax: 203-778-6529, e-mail: greco86 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net in a project that included re-attaching the left hand and rifle, and making a bayonet replacement. Additional work was done in 2002 after the rifle was bent in another act of vandalism. Information about Bethel’s acceptance might be obtained from Lisa Bergh, Bethel Town Clerk, at 203-794-8505, berghl (at) betheltownhall (dot) org, or from someone she suggests.
Sarasota, Florida wasn’t a restoration. Frank Colson (now deceased), Colson Studio/School of Art, Inc., 1666 Hillview Street, Sarasota, FL 34329, 1-888-211-3740, cell 941-321-0129, cast a completely new Doughboy in 1998 using molds made from the one in nearby Clearwater – and another in 2002 for Columbia, South Carolina. Both these copies are rather rough-looking casts compared to the actual original pressed copper Viquesney Doughboy, and some of the details, like the grenade-throwing arm and angle of the tree stumps on the base are mispositioned. But Mr. Colson and his son also did an excellent restoration of the original Clearwater Doughboy and Sailor in 2006 and they appear to be in very good condition in photos that have been taken.
Americus, Georgia had a restoration project, including reattaching the left hand, arm and rifle, in 1995. It was performed by Erling Labert and David Asbell, but I don’t know how to contact them. John Carroll, 181 Quail Trail, Americus, GA 31709, 912-924-8751 (home) or 912-924-9352 (work) was in charge in Americus and would probably be willing to provide information, but might be difficult to reach. The hand and rifle had fallen back off by 1999 when I saw it, but Mr. Carroll told me they have been reattached since then.
The Chicago, Illinois Doughboy that was rededicated at Soldier Field in the fall of 2003 was a massive restoration of one that had been removed from Garfield Park in the 1960s and placed in storage after extensive and severe vandalism. The work was performed by Andrzej Dajnowski of Conservation of Sculpture and Objects Studio, Inc., 900 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park, IL 60130, 773-584-1451, cell 773-480-0483, info (at) csoinc (dot) com. I’ve talked with him about it and about the survey he did regarding restoration of the Naperville, IL Doughboy mentioned below. He has a very large reputation and is extremely busy doing work for the Chicago Parks District’s many sculptures. There’s quite a bit of information about him on the Internet. I can give you the name of a contact person in the Chicago Parks District if you want more information about him. Chicago's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank", Viquesney's tribute to the G.I. of WWII, was excellently restored by Jane Foley of Litas Liparini Restoration Studio, 823 Main St Evanston IL 60202.
The Herrin, Illinois, Doughboy Committee chose Medwedeff Forge & Design, a firm in Murphysboro, Illinois, to do the restoration work on its Doughboy.
Naperville, Illinois had a very extensive restoration in 2002-3 done by Giorgio Gikas, Venus Bronze Works, 13401 Mount Elliott St., Detroit, MI, 313-891-5151. Among other things, he replaced the left hand, bayonet and rifle. Venus Bronze Works has performed other Doughboy restorations, the latest currently underway (November 2019 - May 2020) being the Doughboy at Wheeling, West Virginia.
Hobart, Indiana had a restoration in 2001. Michael E. Ellis, Director, Hobart Parks and Recreation Department, 18 E. Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN 46342-4355 (don’t have phone info) might be able to provide details. It is possible that Anddrzej Dajnowski (mentioned earlier) was involved in some capacity. Jerry Kegebein, 1511 East North Street, Hobart, IN 46342, 219-942-4062 was very heavily involved for American Legion Post # 54. He might be the post adjutant – the post phone is 219-947-2054. Repairs to the Spencer, Indiana Doughboy vandalized in November 2008 were done by Adam Nahas of Cyclops Studios, Bloomington, Indiana. Cleaning maintenance has also been performed by Himec Corp. of Tell City, Indiana http://himeccorp.com/industrial-cleaners.html.
Winchester, Kentucky had a major restoration in 1986 performed by conservators from Washington University (St. Louis). A very good source of information on it is Retired Col. Jerry Cecil (West Pointer) at jerrycecil (at) bellsouth (dot) net. His is very complimentary about the work and has referred Washington, U. to others, but the adjutant of the Columbia, Illinois American Legion Post was less complimentary in comments about metal reactions to a chemical they used there. Washington U. might have performed work on some others.
Crisfield, Maryland had restoration work in 2000. I don’t know who did the work, but Andrzej Dajnowski of Chicago (mentioned earlier) might because he went to Crisfield to study that one to prepare to do the massive work on the one placed at Soldier Field. James T. Sterling, 15 Asbury Ave., Crisfield, MD 21817, 410-968-1761 might be a good source of information, too. He took photos that he sent me on two occasions.
Winchendon, Massachusetts had a 1997 restoration by Jeffrey Bronness of Royalston Arts Foundry, P. O. Box 89, Royalston, MA 01368, 978-575-999 and 1-800-901-ARTS. His website at contains details of the Winchendon work, which included making a new hand, rifle and bayonet. The Veteran of Foreign Wars, 63 Glenallen Street, Winchendon 01475, 617-197-2585 was involved, as was Clifford P. Beauvais, 305 Benjamin Street, P. O. Box 279, Winchendon, MA 01475, perhaps on behalf of the VFW. Charles Grout, county Veterans Affairs Officer, was also involved.
St. Joseph, Michigan had a 1998 restoration that apparently had very satisfactory results but I don’t know the restorer. Information might be obtained from Rory Dickey, Supervisor of Parks and Forestry, City Hall, St. Joseph, MI 49085.
The New Ulm, Minnesota Doughboy was destroyed by vandalism in 1995 and entirely rebuilt in bronze by Innocast Execuline, 1315 Sixth Street, Howard Lake, Minnesota, 55302, 1-800-253-2178, Fax:1-612-340-9898. I’ve seen the excellent replacement. The company used molds made from the original parts of the destroyed statue to create the replacement. They also retained those molds and used them to create another outstanding bronze replacement for the city of Jamestown, Kentucky, whose original Doughboy was destroyed in an automobile accident in 2008.
Polich Tallix, of Rock Tavern, New York, has been awarded contracts to repair or replace the damaged cast zinc Viquesney Doughboy at Harrison, NY, and to refurbish the pressed copper Viquesney Doughboy at Bethel, CT.
The Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri, Doughboy underwent a substantial restoration in 2004 by Rob and Mayda Jensen of Jensen Conservation Services, 13515 C Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 402-691-0100. The Jensens performed a modest (far less extensive than at Wentworth) restoration of the Cherokee, Oklahoma Doughboy in 2002. Sonya Booher, Alfalfa County Assessor, 580-596-2145, could give comments. I’ve seen it and think that it is quite satisfactory for the extent of work that was desired – primarily cleaning. The Jensens also performed a very challenging restoration of the Appleton, Wisconsin Doughboy in 2006 for rededication November 11. This was the second major restoration of that Doughboy. A major problem was that they had to remove cement that had been placed in the legs to give it stability in an earlier restoration. The contraction and expansion had caused the metal on the legs to split. Placing something in the legs has caused problems at other places, as at Verona, Pennsylvania where the effects of an earlier restoration had to be corrected by Tom Podnar and McKay Lodge Fine Arts (mentioned later).
November 11, 2018: After a complete refurbishment by Acutech Works of Columbia Falls, Montana, the Doughboy was rededicated in a short ceremony at the Veterans Home. The restoration effort was led by Mike Shepard, former commander of both the Columbia Falls and Whitefish American Legion posts.
Dover, New Jersey had a restoration in 2001. Alderman Frank Poolas, 14 N. Morris Street, Dover 07801-3910 (address used on contacts with me), or Town of Dover, 37 N. Sussex Street, P. O. Box 798, Dover 07802-0798, or home 155 Highland Drive 07801, 973-989-4220, can provide details. The work was by John Cappelano of Easton Memorial Company in Easton, Pennsylvania. Cappalano also restored Roselle Park, New Jersey’s Doughboy in 1999. A local contact for details is Nick Pagnetti, 309 East Grant Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07294, 908-245-5422.
July 18, 2012: Belmont, North Carolina's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank" was repaired by Conservation Solutions of Washington, D.C. and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mail: 833 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Voice: (505) 983-1950 Fax: (866) 843-1774 E-mail: info (at) conservationsolutionsinc (dot) com.
July 17, 2013, Akron, Ohio: A refurbishment project was completed by Paul Thomarios, of Thomarios Construction, which cleaned, bronze plated, and sealed the statue.
The Fostoria, Ohio Doughboy was restored in 1995 by Tom Podnar, McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc., 10915 Pyle-South Amherst Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074, 440-774-4215, mckaylodge (at) gmail (dot) com. Podnar and McKay Lodge also performed a major restoration of the Verona, Pennsylvania Doughboy in 2006. I think McKay Lodge has done restoration on another and maybe more (2010 repair of Winchester, Kentucky's Doughboy after it blew down in a windstorm the year before).
The Marion, Ohio Doughboy was taken down in February 2008 for restoration by Columbus Art Memorial, Inc.
Warren, Ohio's Doughboy underwent conservation treatment perfomed in 1991 by Csaba Kur, and again in 2003, including replacement of the bayonet.
The Doughboys and Sailors at Granite and Hobart, Oklahoma were restored by James A. Pitt in the late 1970s.
Repairs, cleaning and a preservative application were performed in October/November 1999 on the Henryetta, Oklahoma Doughboy by John Free, The Bronze Horse Foundry, Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Anderson, South Carolina had a replacement installed in 2011. The work was done by Maria J. Kirby-Smith, the same sculptor who replaced the Doughboy at Furman University (see next paragraph), using the same molds. She can be contacted at: (803) 424-1763, Fax: (803) 424-4791. or at her website www.mjkirby-smith.com. The project was initiated by Robert Rainey of Foothills Community Foundation. It might be possible to get in touch with him through the Anderson Independent or something might be learned through the Anderson American Legion Post 14, where the statue is located at 1301 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC 29621, 864-224-6487. The Commander of the post in 2001 was Marty Hoard, 2501 Winslow Dr., Anderson, SC 29621, 864-224-5150.
Furman University at Columbia, South Carolina completely replaced their Doughboy with a bronze cast, as opposed to the pressed copper original, in 2004. The outstanding work was performed by Maria Kirby-Smith. She can be contacted through Linda Solansky at lsolan1951 (at) yahoo (dot) com. Ms. Kirby-Smith usually does original work on a life-size scale, but it might be possible that she would undertake a restoration. The Furman replacement could be the best I have seen, but I doubt is she in inexpensive. Lt. Col. Bill Price at bill (dot) price (at) furman (dot) edu could give you information about Furman’s satisfaction with the work.
Johnson City, Tennessee's Doughboy was taken down September 14, 2012, and sent to Gardner Paint Services, 129 L P Auer Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604, for a re-coating and other refurbishment.
Canyon, Texas had a restoration in 1999 by Laboratory for Conservation of Fine Arts, 733 Sanford Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666, (201) - 833-9478. They might be associated with Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Canyon restoration included cleaning, reconstruction of patina, reconstruction of barbed wire effects, and reattachment of the rifle barrel and bayonet. For a reference, contact Randall County Commissioners Court at Courthouse Square, Canyon, TX 79015 or the Randall County Veteran Service Officer at the same address. The latter might get more and quicker attention.
The New Braunfels, Texas Doughboy was hit by a drunk driver in 1986 and repaired by Washington University Technology Associates, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri.
The Fort Worth, Texas Doughboy is in very good condition for being over 75 years old (I’ve seen it) and could have been refurbished at some time. Information could be obtained from John Bailey, General Manager, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2301 North Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX 817-831-0511.
Vernon, Texas had its damaged Doughboy repaired in 2011 by Jack Stevens of Iowa Park. Contact Larry Souza, Doughboy Restoration Committee, 940-552-9381w, 940-357-1303c, e-mail larry (dot) souza (at) twc (dot) state (dot) tx (dot) us.
Appleton, Wisconsin had an earlier major reconstruction of a nearly totally destroyed Doughboy in 1986 by a Kevin Weisshahn of Appleton Lamplighter, PO Box 1434, 2664 American Dr., Appleton, WI 54913, 414-739-9001, fax (414) 739-1656, or Appleton Marble and Granite, 1708 East Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911, 920-733-2938, 1-800-472-5506. Except for the fact that cement was added to the legs for stability (which seemed to be a good idea after it had been knocked off its pedestal by an auto) and had to be restored again by the Jensens (mentioned above) in 2006 as a result, the 1986 restoration was quite a major project, since the restorers had to use what pieces they could find and fabricate the rest and a means to put them all together The Appleton Public Works Department, 2625 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton, WI 920-832-5580 might also have information about that earlier restoration.
The City of Markesan, WI, planned to hire Precision Metalsmiths, Inc., 1081 E. 200th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44117, Phone (216) 481-8900, www.precisionmetalsmiths.com to replace/repair the damaged rifle on Markesan’s Doughboy (Precision also has an office in Markensan) but the deal apparenty fell through. CEO David Dolata, at ddolata (at) precisionmetalsmiths (dot) com may have comments, but has remarked that his company is no longer responsible nor involved in the project. Comments from Markesan representatives might be obtained from Mayor Rich Slate at cmarkesan (at) hotmail (dot) com or from City Clerk Patricia Prill at cmarkesan (at) hotmail (dot) com or pwprill (at) hotmail (dot) com.West Bend, Wisconsin had an excellent restoration in 1999-2000 by Tony Rajer, Fine Arts Conservation Services, P. O. Box 567, Madison, WI 53701. Experience has shown that he is hard to reach. Edward M. Pierog, Research Coordinator, Washington County Historical Society, 320 Fifth Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095-3333, 262335-4678, wchs (at) historyisfun (dot) com can provide good information.
The Rock Springs, Wyoming Doughboy was restored by artist/sculptor Deb Uhls in a project that included the replacement of the rifle and cleaning. Don Nykodym, Rock Spring Park Superintendent, 307-352-100, has expressed satisfaction with the work. Deb Uhls can be reached at amw (at) abarismetalworks (dot) com.
The Aberdeen, Washington Doughboy was repaired in 2018 by Valley Bronze, 307 W. Alder Street, P.O. Box 669, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-7551, info (at) valleybronze (dot) com, after suffering vandalism.
The Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri, Doughboy underwent a substantial restoration in 2004 by Rob and Mayda Jensen of Jensen Conservation Services, 13515 C Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 402-691-0100. The Jensens performed a modest (far less extensive than at Wentworth) restoration of the Cherokee, Oklahoma Doughboy in 2002. Sonya Booher, Alfalfa County Assessor, 580-596-2145, could give comments. I’ve seen it and think that it is quite satisfactory for the extent of work that was desired – primarily cleaning. The Jensens also performed a very challenging restoration of the Appleton, Wisconsin Doughboy in 2006 for rededication November 11. This was the second major restoration of that Doughboy. A major problem was that they had to remove cement that had been placed in the legs to give it stability in an earlier restoration. The contraction and expansion had caused the metal on the legs to split. Placing something in the legs has caused problems at other places, as at Verona, Pennsylvania where the effects of an earlier restoration had to be corrected by Tom Podnar and McKay Lodge Fine Arts (mentioned later).
November 11, 2018: After a complete refurbishment by Acutech Works of Columbia Falls, Montana, the Doughboy was rededicated in a short ceremony at the Veterans Home. The restoration effort was led by Mike Shepard, former commander of both the Columbia Falls and Whitefish American Legion posts.
Dover, New Jersey had a restoration in 2001. Alderman Frank Poolas, 14 N. Morris Street, Dover 07801-3910 (address used on contacts with me), or Town of Dover, 37 N. Sussex Street, P. O. Box 798, Dover 07802-0798, or home 155 Highland Drive 07801, 973-989-4220, can provide details. The work was by John Cappelano of Easton Memorial Company in Easton, Pennsylvania. Cappalano also restored Roselle Park, New Jersey’s Doughboy in 1999. A local contact for details is Nick Pagnetti, 309 East Grant Avenue, Roselle Park, NJ 07294, 908-245-5422.
July 18, 2012: Belmont, North Carolina's "Spirit of the Fighting Yank" was repaired by Conservation Solutions of Washington, D.C. and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mail: 833 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Voice: (505) 983-1950 Fax: (866) 843-1774 E-mail: info (at) conservationsolutionsinc (dot) com.
July 17, 2013, Akron, Ohio: A refurbishment project was completed by Paul Thomarios, of Thomarios Construction, which cleaned, bronze plated, and sealed the statue.
The Fostoria, Ohio Doughboy was restored in 1995 by Tom Podnar, McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc., 10915 Pyle-South Amherst Rd., Oberlin, OH 44074, 440-774-4215, mckaylodge (at) gmail (dot) com. Podnar and McKay Lodge also performed a major restoration of the Verona, Pennsylvania Doughboy in 2006. I think McKay Lodge has done restoration on another and maybe more (2010 repair of Winchester, Kentucky's Doughboy after it blew down in a windstorm the year before).
The Marion, Ohio Doughboy was taken down in February 2008 for restoration by Columbus Art Memorial, Inc.
Warren, Ohio's Doughboy underwent conservation treatment perfomed in 1991 by Csaba Kur, and again in 2003, including replacement of the bayonet.
The Doughboys and Sailors at Granite and Hobart, Oklahoma were restored by James A. Pitt in the late 1970s.
Repairs, cleaning and a preservative application were performed in October/November 1999 on the Henryetta, Oklahoma Doughboy by John Free, The Bronze Horse Foundry, Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Anderson, South Carolina had a replacement installed in 2011. The work was done by Maria J. Kirby-Smith, the same sculptor who replaced the Doughboy at Furman University (see next paragraph), using the same molds. She can be contacted at: (803) 424-1763, Fax: (803) 424-4791. or at her website www.mjkirby-smith.com. The project was initiated by Robert Rainey of Foothills Community Foundation. It might be possible to get in touch with him through the Anderson Independent or something might be learned through the Anderson American Legion Post 14, where the statue is located at 1301 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC 29621, 864-224-6487. The Commander of the post in 2001 was Marty Hoard, 2501 Winslow Dr., Anderson, SC 29621, 864-224-5150.
Furman University at Columbia, South Carolina completely replaced their Doughboy with a bronze cast, as opposed to the pressed copper original, in 2004. The outstanding work was performed by Maria Kirby-Smith. She can be contacted through Linda Solansky at lsolan1951 (at) yahoo (dot) com. Ms. Kirby-Smith usually does original work on a life-size scale, but it might be possible that she would undertake a restoration. The Furman replacement could be the best I have seen, but I doubt is she in inexpensive. Lt. Col. Bill Price at bill (dot) price (at) furman (dot) edu could give you information about Furman’s satisfaction with the work.
Johnson City, Tennessee's Doughboy was taken down September 14, 2012, and sent to Gardner Paint Services, 129 L P Auer Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604, for a re-coating and other refurbishment.
Canyon, Texas had a restoration in 1999 by Laboratory for Conservation of Fine Arts, 733 Sanford Street, Teaneck, NJ 07666, (201) - 833-9478. They might be associated with Fairleigh Dickinson University. The Canyon restoration included cleaning, reconstruction of patina, reconstruction of barbed wire effects, and reattachment of the rifle barrel and bayonet. For a reference, contact Randall County Commissioners Court at Courthouse Square, Canyon, TX 79015 or the Randall County Veteran Service Officer at the same address. The latter might get more and quicker attention.
The New Braunfels, Texas Doughboy was hit by a drunk driver in 1986 and repaired by Washington University Technology Associates, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri.
The Fort Worth, Texas Doughboy is in very good condition for being over 75 years old (I’ve seen it) and could have been refurbished at some time. Information could be obtained from John Bailey, General Manager, Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 2301 North Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth, TX 817-831-0511.
Vernon, Texas had its damaged Doughboy repaired in 2011 by Jack Stevens of Iowa Park. Contact Larry Souza, Doughboy Restoration Committee, 940-552-9381w, 940-357-1303c, e-mail larry (dot) souza (at) twc (dot) state (dot) tx (dot) us.
Appleton, Wisconsin had an earlier major reconstruction of a nearly totally destroyed Doughboy in 1986 by a Kevin Weisshahn of Appleton Lamplighter, PO Box 1434, 2664 American Dr., Appleton, WI 54913, 414-739-9001, fax (414) 739-1656, or Appleton Marble and Granite, 1708 East Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911, 920-733-2938, 1-800-472-5506. Except for the fact that cement was added to the legs for stability (which seemed to be a good idea after it had been knocked off its pedestal by an auto) and had to be restored again by the Jensens (mentioned above) in 2006 as a result, the 1986 restoration was quite a major project, since the restorers had to use what pieces they could find and fabricate the rest and a means to put them all together The Appleton Public Works Department, 2625 E. Glendale Ave., Appleton, WI 920-832-5580 might also have information about that earlier restoration.
The City of Markesan, WI, planned to hire Precision Metalsmiths, Inc., 1081 E. 200th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44117, Phone (216) 481-8900, www.precisionmetalsmiths.com to replace/repair the damaged rifle on Markesan’s Doughboy (Precision also has an office in Markensan) but the deal apparenty fell through. CEO David Dolata, at ddolata (at) precisionmetalsmiths (dot) com may have comments, but has remarked that his company is no longer responsible nor involved in the project. Comments from Markesan representatives might be obtained from Mayor Rich Slate at cmarkesan (at) hotmail (dot) com or from City Clerk Patricia Prill at cmarkesan (at) hotmail (dot) com or pwprill (at) hotmail (dot) com.West Bend, Wisconsin had an excellent restoration in 1999-2000 by Tony Rajer, Fine Arts Conservation Services, P. O. Box 567, Madison, WI 53701. Experience has shown that he is hard to reach. Edward M. Pierog, Research Coordinator, Washington County Historical Society, 320 Fifth Avenue, West Bend, WI 53095-3333, 262335-4678, wchs (at) historyisfun (dot) com can provide good information.
The Rock Springs, Wyoming Doughboy was restored by artist/sculptor Deb Uhls in a project that included the replacement of the rifle and cleaning. Don Nykodym, Rock Spring Park Superintendent, 307-352-100, has expressed satisfaction with the work. Deb Uhls can be reached at amw (at) abarismetalworks (dot) com.
The Aberdeen, Washington Doughboy was repaired in 2018 by Valley Bronze, 307 W. Alder Street, P.O. Box 669, Joseph, OR 97846, (541) 432-7551, info (at) valleybronze (dot) com, after suffering vandalism.
