Lewiston volunteers keep area monuments shining with annual wash & wax

Every year, volunteers from the Historical Association of Lewiston get together to keep Lewiston’s bronze monuments in tip-top shape. This year’s crew included, from left: Tim Henderson, Steve Fisher, Susan Geissler, Bruce Sutherland, Pete Henderson and Ken Slaugenhoupt. Not shown: Harry Wright, Neil Patterson Sr. and Lee Simonson.

Slaugenhoupt, the HAL president, said, “The Freedom Crossing Monument on the river was installed in 2009, and the Tuscarora Heroes Monument in 2013. Fortunately, with our annual maintenance program, they still look brand-new."

The monuments, designed in a realistic tableau style, host thousands of visitors every year and, according to the worldwide travel and tourism tracker TripAdvisor, are Lewiston’s top landmarks. They have become a favorite stop for visitors who are interested in Lewiston’s role in the Underground Railroad and the War of 1812.

Geissler, an internationally known sculptor, was commissioned to create the larger-than-life-size sculptures.