Illinois Memorial Restoration

Illinois Memorial

NPS

Project Overview

Dedicated in 1906, the Illinois Memorial is modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and features 60 bronze tablets listing over 36,000 names of Illinois soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Over years the memorial developed biological growth, black lichen, efflorescence, and suffered gold-leaf loss—all of which diminish both the visual and structural integrity. Restoration will clean and treat surfaces, repatinate bronze, and prevent spalling caused by salt crystal expansion within the stone.

During the project, there will be no pedestrian access to the memorial itself, however the Tour Road will be open and there will be partial access to Tour Stop 2, including to the neighboring Shirley House.

 

Current Status

Work to begin September 2, 2025

On September 2, 2025 the memorial will close for public access and will be closed for up to one year. The Tour Road and Tour Stop 2 will remain open.

Restoration work will include:

• Clean and treat surfaces
• Re-patinate bronze
• Prevent spalling caused by salt crystal expansion within the stone.

 

Map of the Illinois Memorial Restoration project area.

NPS Photo

Timeline:

September 2, 2025: Memorial will close for access.

The contractors period of performace is one year: August 2025-August 2026. The restoration work will be completed within that one year period of performance.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the need for the project?

Dedicated in 1906, the Illinois Memorial features 60 bronze tablets listing over 36,000 names of Illinois soldiers who fought in the Civil War. As an open outdoor structure it is prone to accelerated weathering and impacts from the natural environment. Modeled after the Pantheon in Rome, it is one of the most iconic memorials in the park and serves as a key stop on the tour road and is the most photographed memorial in the park.

Over years the memorial developed biological growth, black lichen, efflorescence (white powdery deposits) on its stone surfaces, and has also suffered from gold-leaf loss—all of which diminish its visual and structural integrity.
 

What does the project include? 

Restoration will clean and treat all exposed stone surfaces and will re-patinate bronze tablets and fixtures. Cleaning the stone will slow deterioration by removing efflorescence which is caused by the migration of soluble salts to the stone’s surface as moisture evaporates. These deposits pose a serious threat of spalling and damaging stone surfaces. Reapplication of gold leaf to engraved lettering will restore legibility and beauty to  the stone-engraved text, and re-patination of the bronze plaques and other bronze elements will remove unsightly green corrosion and will reduce the risk of eventual loss of these important historic features.

When will the project begin and end?

September 2, 2025:  Memorial will close for access.

The contractors period of performace is one year:  August 2025-August 2026. The restoration work will be completed within that one year period of performance.

Why was it necessary to close the memorial? 

This is a full restoration of the memorial top to bottom, inside and out. The entire structure will be encapsulated in scaffolding. For the safety of visitors and conservators, the memorial will be closed.

Will there need to be additional road closures?

The parking area will be partially closed, however there will some parking spaces open to allow access to the Shirely House. The Tour Road will remain open. 

When will the memorial open again for access?

The period of performance to complete the work is for one year:  August 2025-August 2026. The final completion date within that one year will depend on a variety of factors including weather conditions and any if any complexities arise with the work. Restoration work of a memorial of this size is singular and unique.

How will this project impact park visitors?

During the project, there will be no pedestrian access or vehicular access to the memorial itself which will be a construction area. A few or the parking spaces will be used by the contractors, however there will still be parking at the location, which Tour Stop 2. Tour Stop 2 includes the Illinois Memorial and the Shirley House.

How will this project benefit park visitors?

Benefits of the project will include a restored memorial to ensures its longevity. Restore memorial ensure it will continue honor the service and sacrifices of those from Illinois who served in the war. The project will improve the visitor experience by restoring the memorial to a more visually pleasing state and ensure its longevity.

How will this project impact natural and cultural resources? 

The project helps protect significant cultural resources by rehabilitating and stabilizing the memorial, which is the largest of the state memorial in the park.

What is the park doing to protect those resources during the project?

Throughout the project, National Park Service (NPS) resource protection experts and NPS managers will monitor the contractor's use of environmental protection methods to ensure the protection of these unique cultural resources and the environment surrounding them. Every project the NPS undertakes is conducted in compliance with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other regulations.

How is this project being funded?

The projected is being funding partially with Federal funds and partially through a private donation by John Nau III, founding member of the Board of Directors, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign. .

How much does the project cost? 

Current total cost for the project is $5,262,000. 

$2.762 million is being funded via federal funds. 

$2.5 million funded by a private donation by John Nau III, founding member of the Board of Directors, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign.

Who can I contact if I have further questions or concerns regarding the project?

Brendan Wilson