Millbrook Rotary cleaning "The Millbrook Monument"

 

 

At the intersection of Route 343 (from Millbrook to Dover Plains) and Old Route 82 (now CR 111) there is a small rotary.  In its center, a bronze eagle with outspread wings rests on a stone column wreathed in metal.  To residents of the Village of Millbrook, this is “The Monument,” although few know (what you go on to say makes it sound as though no one knows) what event or group it might commemorate. Although there is some evidence that it honors veterans of a war, most likely World War I, legend has it that one of the founders of Millbrook had it erected to enable visitors to fund his home—“turn right when you get to the monument.” In either case, it has long been treasured as one of the icons of the village.

 

A few years ago, however, it had become apparent that the monument was not in very good shape. Millbrook Rotary decided to come to the rescue, raising enough money to have the monument cleaned and repaired. Luckily for the monument, one of the Millbrook Rotarians, Steve Roy, of Steve Roy Art Restoration, LLC, is an expert in repairing metal works of art, and every two years he donates his services to clean the monument in restore any parts that have deteriorated.

 

Relying on his skills and training in all phases of metallurgy and welding, Steve Roy has constructed and restored sculptures all over the world. Evidence of his passion for preservation and restoration can be seen throughout the country. He has shared his expertise with private collectors like John Paul Mellon and John Kluge. His unsurpassed skill as a patina specialist also can be seen on sculptures at the White House; Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian; National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts; Columbus Museum of Art and Seattle Art Museum. Steve has restored monuments of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, General Lafayette and Bishop Carroll. He also has restored works by great artists such as Rodin, Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, Claes Oldenburg, Daniel Chester French, Arnaldo Pomodoro and Felix W. de Weldon.

Millbrook Rotary is proud of its village.  In addition to keeping the monument in good repair, the Rotary has erected and maintains the colorful painted signs that welcome visitors to Millbrook at each end of Franklin Avenue.

 

Millbrook Rotary meets at 12:15 p.m. every Wednesday at Copperfield’s Restaurant on Route 44/82 in Washington Hollow. Guests are welcome (lunch is $15). For further information see MillbrookRotary.org.