“To the memory of the brave soldiers and sailors who saved the Union” This inscription on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument echoes across Riverside Park. It stands as a testament to the men who fought in the American Civil War. This magnificent memorial is more than just a monument. It’s a living piece of history.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is located at the intersection of 89th Street and Riverside Drive. It was first suggested in 1869. However it wasn’t built until 1900-1902. The project faced delays. Many organizations couldn’t agree on a location. The chosen design even needed adjustments for the final site.
Imagine the groundbreaking ceremony in September 1900. About 200 people were there. City Council President Randolph Guggenheimer turned the first sod. The cornerstone laid in January 1901 bore a simple inscription. It stated the monument was erected by New York’s citizens. President Theodore Roosevelt himself officiated at the dedication on Memorial Day in 1902. A parade of Civil War veterans marched up Riverside Drive to the unveiling.
The monument is a grand design. It’s inspired by the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens. Architects Charles and Arthur Stoughton designed it. Paul E. M. Duboy carved its ornamental features. He also designed the Ansonia apartment building nearby. The monument is 100 feet tall and 50 feet deep. Its white marble gleams. Its twelve Corinthian columns reach for the sky. The names of New York volunteer regiments and battles are etched into the stone. The names of Union generals are there too.
Sadly the Soldiers and Sailors Monument has suffered from neglect over the years. Reports of needed repairs started appearing as early as 1907. Marble slabs fell. The building leaked. Cement crumbled. Major renovations happened in the 1930s and 1960s. Yet the deterioration continued. By 2017 the estimated cost to fully repair it soared to $36.5 million. The structure was closed to the public. It’s retaining wall was failing.
However there’s good news. Mayor Eric Adams allocated $62 million for restoration in fiscal year 2024. Work began that year. Drones surveyed the monument’s condition. This grand memorial is on its way to being restored to its former glory. It will once again stand tall. It will continue to honor the memory of those who served and saved the Union. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument’s story is a testament to the enduring spirit of remembrance. It’s a symbol of the enduring spirit of a city that honors its past.