This lecture was part of the Divine Disorder Conference on the Conservation of Outsider Folk art that was organized and hosted by NCPTT. The conference was held February 15-16, 2012 on the campus of Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
The Strange Procession That Never Moves
Abstract
The Wooldridge Monuments are a group of eighteen life-sized sculptures located in Maplewood Cemetery, Mayfield, Kentucky. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they commemorate the life and relatives of Henry G. Wooldridge. Along with the figure of Wooldridge on a horse, there are figures of his brothers, sisters, a deer, two dogs and a fox–all facing East as if in a procession. These limestone monuments were carved in Paducah, KY in 1890-99 and are recognized as important examples of Kentucky folk art Inscribed under the right stirrup of the horse is “Williamson and Co Paducah KY”. In the 1930’s Will Lydon, a sculptor in the firm, claimed he carved 12 of the figures. The limestone base of another figure is inscribed “Pryor and Radford”, a monument firm in Mayfield. A second figure of Wooldridge standing on a pedestal and with more expression than the limestone figures is of marble and was carved in Italy. Within this group is a tall marble and granite stele said to be the first monument erected in the plot.
The significance of the monuments was noted in local publications while Wooldridge was still alive and the carvings incomplete. They were photographed by Walker Evans in 1945. Photographs of the Wooldridge monuments were included in an exhibit and associated catalog of Kentucky folk art (Ellsworth Taylor, Folk Art of Kentucky, 1975). They are visible from Paducah Road (Rte 45), the main roadway into Mayfield; and remain an important local attraction to this day. On January 27, 2009, an ice storm brought down a 300 year old oak tree,and 14 of the sculptures were smashed. All loose fragments were collected and stored by the Mayfield Department of Public Works.Restoration work was done in 3 phases, starting in April 27, 2010. The first phase included the attachment of loose fragments, re-erection of the tall marble and granite monument, the Keziah Wooldridge torso, and the stabilization of the horse monument. For the resetting of the large fragments we were assisted by a local crane company. Also accomplished was the attachment of all of the fragmented feet and legs in preparation of the re-setting of torsos in the following phase. In June, the remaining torsos and heads were attached with structural adhesive; the horse’s head was drilled and pinned and attached with adhesive. All the monuments were lightly cleaned. The last phase, completed in July of 2010, was the attachment of the remaining small fragments of animal feet and legs, and the filling of cracks and losses.
Martin Johnson applies structural adhesive to repair statue's torso.
All of these monuments are located in the family plot, approximately 33 by 17 feet. Because of the size of the sculptures and their proximity to one another, step-by-step planning was crucial. This presentation will provide details on the planning and execution of the re-erection of the figures; the collection and identification of fragments; the moving and re-setting of larger fragments; and on structural adhesion and infill techniques. It will additionally include a broader discussion of the decision to clean the monuments.
Speaker Biography
Martin Johnson, Vice President, Monument Conservation Collaborative
Martin Johnson teaching at a NCPTT cemetery course.
Martin has a BA in geography, thereby bringing a practical knowledge of soils, ground water, and mapping to the MCC team. Since 2004, Martin has gained hands-on experience in all aspects of monument conservation, having worked at more than thirty-five sites throughout New England, New York, Kentucky, Florida as well as in American Samoa. As project manager, he organizes the sequencing of the restoration as well as preservation. On site, he oversees and is directly involved in cleaning, resetting, adhesion, patching and chemical consolidation. He has been an instructor at the NCPTT cemetery training workshops. He has gained extensive knowledge and skills in working with local, state and national government agencies, while serving as the chairman of the Inlands Wetlands Commission of Norfolk CT for more than 10 years.