City Seeks Specialist To Restore Fredericksburg’s Hugh Mercer Monument

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg is seeking a conservation specialist to restore the General Hugh Mercer Monument, a 120-year-old bronze statue and stone base on Washington Avenue.

The city issued a request for quotations Monday for work intended to stabilize the monument, stop active deterioration, remove corrosion and biological growth, and restore its appearance. Under an amended solicitation, Fredericksburg intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract running from the award date through June 30, 2027.

Subscribe

The amended solicitation cover extends the deadline for contractors to submit proposals to 4 p.m. Sept. 28. An optional pre-bid meeting remains scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 8 at the monument, located at the intersection of Fauquier Street and Washington Avenue.

Restoration Would Address Bronze Statue And Stone Base

The project would begin with photographs, an assessment of the monument's condition and small-scale cleaning tests. The selected specialist would inspect for structural weaknesses, active bronze deterioration, damaged mortar joints and surface degradation. Historical research would also be used to determine the statue's original patina.

Work on the bronze statue would include removing dirt, bird droppings and environmental pollutants with a non-ionic detergent, soft brushes and low-pressure water. Loose corrosion and failing coatings would be removed with localized techniques intended to preserve the stable, historic patina.

Areas of bare metal or uneven corrosion could be repatinated to match the surrounding bronze. The statue would then receive multiple coats of clear conservation wax, buffed to a satin finish to protect it from moisture and contaminants.

The stone base would be treated to remove lichen, algae and moss. The contractor would also inspect the foundation, replace failing mortar and repair chips, cracks, fissures or deteriorating stone.

The city specifically prohibits sandblasting, acidic cleaners, wire wheels and other methods that could damage the monument. Portland cement also cannot be used for repointing the stone.

Work must be supervised and performed by a qualified member or fellow of the American Institute for Conservation or a professional Stone Carvers Guild practitioner specializing in objects or architectural conservation. Applicants must provide resumes identifying five similar projects completed during the past three years.

Monument Was Erected In 1906

The federal government erected the monument in 1906. The bronze statue was created by sculptor Edward V. Valentine to honor Mercer, who opened an apothecary shop in Fredericksburg in 1761 after receiving advice from George Washington.

Mercer later served as a general during the Revolutionary War. He died Jan. 12, 1777, from wounds suffered at the Battle of Princeton.

The monument stands near Historic Kenmore, the home of Washington's sister, Betty Lewis, and her husband, Fielding Lewis.

The selected contractor would be required to provide before-and-after photographs, a final treatment report identifying the materials and methods used, and a long-term maintenance guide. The report and maintenance plan would be due within 14 days after the physical work is completed.

Fredericksburg did not list a projected budget in the solicitation. The amended pricing sheet requires bidders to provide separate fixed prices for the initial condition report and testing, restoration of the bronze statue, restoration of the stone base, and the final report and maintenance plan.

The city will evaluate methodology and qualifications at 30 points each, with references and price worth 20 points each. One contract will be awarded based on the proposal offering the best overall value rather than price alone.

The city intends to award the contract without negotiations, although its procurement manager may request clarification from one or more bidders.

Questions must be submitted in writing by 4 p.m. Sept. 11 to Procurement Manager Josh McCormack at ljmccormack@fredericksburgva.gov and Procurement Specialist Rachel Jones at rmjones@fredericksburgva.gov.