Maintaining our Cemeteries and Monuments: Chateau-Thierry American Monument

ABMC manages 27 monuments, memorials and markers around the globe, each necessitating its own unique, maintenance plan to ensure these sites continue to meet the standards set by the agency.  While some markers are modest in size, constituting no more than a few square feet, others loom large over river valleys.

Located in France, the Chateau-Thierry American Monument overlooks the Marne River valley. Elements of the American 3rd Division assisted French forces in preventing the Germans from crossing the Marne River in the summer of 1918.  This monument commemorates the sacrifices and achievements of American and French forces before and during the Aisne-Marne and Oise-Aisne Offensives of World War I. At nearby cemeteries, including Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, rest Americans who gave their lives during these offensives.

Designed by famed architect Paul Cret, this large monument rises above a long terrace. The western face of the monument includes heroic sculptures representing the United States and France, and the eastern face includes a map showing military operations in the region and an orientation table points out the location of significant battle sites in the valley below.

Throughout the course of recent years, the physical appearance of the monument had begun to degrade due to issues related to algae, lichen, stone disintegration, and pollution. To correct these issues, a team of experts from ABMC’s Overseas Operations Office put together a plan to remedy the problems.

Beginning in May 2014, significant cleaning and maintenance of the monument began. A nine-story scaffolding was erected around the perimeter of the monument to ensure all areas were accessible to work crews. The main focus of the work included cleaning the façade and fixing and/or replacing damaged stones.

The first step in the process included removal of the algae and lichen, which was completed by the application of a biocide. Next, a multitude of limestone blocks were fixed. In some cases, a small stone insert was enough to fix the problem, but in other places, entire stones had to be replaced. Part of this work also included fixing some of the artistic features, such as the gargoyles or down spouts.  Finally, the team focused on the removal of staining from pollution and copper. They used a special, porous application on the limestone, which essentially sucked the stain out of the stone. The work was completed on July 1,2015. 

ABMC remains dedicated to honoring those Americans that served overseas in World War I and World War II through the continued care and maintenance of our 25 cemeteries and 27 monuments, memorials and markers.