DESIGN INTENT

The project will entail the historic reconstruction of the Prison Ship Martyrs Memorial site, including the crypt and annex, the Doric column and urn, the bronze eagles and granite light shafts, the central memorial plaza, and the landscaping. The work will comprise masonry stabilization, bronze conservation, waterproofing, paving, site reconstruction, an electric service upgrade, and the addition of architectural and security lighting.

The column, light shafts, crypt, annex, plaza coping, wing walls, the steps down to the wings, and a portion of the main stair will be cleaned, repointed, partially reconstructed, or stabilized to seal the masonry envelopes and interiors. All existing bronze-work at the column and crypt and the for the eagles will be repaired, cleaned and provided with protective wax coatings and furnished with new fasteners and historic ornament as needed.  Two new bronze eagles will be cast from the existing eagles and will be installed, along with two of the originals, on the pedestals of the granite light shafts where they were originally located. The two remaining original eagles will be kept securely in storage, perhaps placed on public display.

The McKim, Mead & White paving pattern will be partially reconstructed in the central plaza. To insure the continued good health of the Olmsted & Vaux London plane trees, the rest of the plaza area will remain lawn. New paving in the wings will match that in the main plaza. An accessible path will be installed between the comfort station and the north east corner of the central plaza. The concrete pavement will be removed from around the 135 year old elm in the northeast wing. The tree will be underplanted with groundcover. The elm and all of the trees in the central plaza, will be pruned as needed and fertilized.

The drainage system in the central plaza will be reconstructed. Erosion control measures will be taken along the base of the walls around the plaza. Architectural lighting will be installed to illuminate the column, urn, eagles and crypt. The bronze flame on top of the urn will be illuminated by discreet fiber optic fixtures to provide a soft lighting effect, similar to the 1905 lighting design.

New security lighting will be installed in the monument plaza using the historic "B" pole with cut-off luminaire fixtures. A concealed fan will be installed at the top of the monument behind the bronze access doors at the viewing platform level. This will provide air flow through the interior shaft to keep the masonry core dry. The bronze urn at the top of the column will be  restored.

Review the Fort Greene Park Conservancy's Press Release on the Restoration and other upcoming events.

See the initial NYC Department of Parks and Recreation's description of the restoration.

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voice: 718-222-1461

e-mail: info@fortgreenepark.org