City Says A Touch-Up Won't Fix Fredericksburg's Hugh Mercer Statue

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Fredericksburg officials now say the deteriorating General Hugh Mercer statue likely needs a complete surface restoration rather than the more limited treatment initially outlined for the 120-year-old monument.

During a Sept. 8 pre-bid conference and in written answers to contractors' questions, the city said it prefers removal of the bronze statue's corrosion and existing green patina, followed by repatination and a protective wax coating.

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"We need to resolve the condition issues that are happening here," the city said when asked whether the statue should be taken back to the original bronze and waxed. "A touch up effort is not going to do it. We would like the statue back to bronze and waxed."

City Clarifies Scope Of Mercer Statue Restoration

The guidance provides a clearer picture of what Fredericksburg expects from the contractor ultimately selected to restore the bronze statue and its stone base at Fauquier Street and Washington Avenue.

The original solicitation called for contractors to remove loose or active corrosion while preserving stable historic patina, with spot repatination where needed. After examining the monument and fielding questions from prospective contractors, however, the city said the level of corrosion appears to warrant "complete surface restoration and repatination."

Fredericksburg said contractors may propose an appropriate restoration method, including alternatives to the walnut-shell micro-abrasion identified in the solicitation. The city also said it would consider laser cleaning if the method meets the project's conservation goals.

RELATED: City Seeks Specialist To Restore Fredericksburg's Hugh Mercer Monument

City officials said they do not have archival records documenting the monument's original patina. The city is aware of one cleaning conducted in 1987 that used walnut-shell abrasion and a wax treatment.

The selected contractor will be expected to research the original finish of the statue, which was created by Richmond sculptor Edward V. Valentine.

Three prospective contractors signed in for the Sept. 8 meeting, according to a city attendance sheet.

The city also clarified that the stone portion of the project is intended to address active deterioration and moisture problems rather than substantially rebuild the monument's base.

Stone Base Work To Use A 'Light Touch'

Officials said they want the stone cleaned, secured and maintained, with a "light touch" toward patching. Extensive stone carving or replication is not expected, and the curb surrounding the monument is not part of the restoration project.

Contractors will be asked to prepare sample areas of approximately 2 feet by 2 feet or 3 feet by 3 feet demonstrating proposed mortar and cleaning treatments.

The city said there is a water connection at the site but no electrical power. The contractor will be responsible for collecting or treating chemical runoff and obtaining a right-of-way permit for equipment or scaffolding. A building permit will not be required.

Work is expected to occur during normal weekdays and working hours because the monument sits in a residential area. The city said late-night and early-morning work should be avoided.

Equipment may remain at the site overnight at the contractor's discretion if placed in an approved location, and the city said it would work with the contractor on whether machinery could be kept on nearby grass so roadways remain open.

The city also clarified that a qualified historic masonry restoration contractor could perform the stone work under the supervision of the project's conservation specialist. Subcontractor projects may be used among the references submitted to demonstrate relevant experience.

The project includes an initial condition assessment, bronze restoration, stone-base work and final documentation and a long-term maintenance plan. The maintenance plan is expected to recommend inspection and re-waxing intervals.

The federal government installed the statue in 1906 to honor Mercer, a Revolutionary War general who practiced medicine and operated an apothecary shop in Fredericksburg before the war.

Mercer died Jan. 12, 1777, from wounds suffered at the Battle of Princeton.

The city's amended solicitation extends the contract period through June 30, 2027, allowing contractors to schedule weather-sensitive work such as patination, waxing and mortar curing when conditions are appropriate.

The solicitation's cover lists 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, as the deadline for quotations. Fredericksburg plans to award one firm-fixed-price contract based on methodology, qualifications, references and price.