Noah Webster Changing Colors In West Hartford (But It's Temporary)

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The Noah Webster statue in West Hartford may look a little different right now, but town officials say the brownish-red appearance is temporary and part of a cleaning process.

The statue is being cleaned as part of ongoing maintenance work at Webster Walk, according to the Town of West Hartford.

A specialized cleaning solution has been applied to the statue to remove bacteria, fungus, and other biological growth that has accumulated on its surface.

The town said the temporary discoloration is a reaction that occurs as the treatment works.

The contractor was expected to apply another treatment Friday morning before thoroughly washing the statue.

Once the process is finished, town officials said the statue should appear cleaner and more vibrant.

"So no worries — Noah isn’t permanently changing colors!" the town said in its Facebook post.

The statue depicts Noah Webster, the lexicographer and author best known for his work on the American dictionary, who was born in what is now West Hartford.