CARDINGTON — It measures 21 feet high, made of bronze metal, topped with the figure of a Civil War Defender and has stood in the center of Glendale Cemetery since 1897. It’s the Civil War Monument originally presented to the Grand Army Boys of Cardington Township in July, 1889.
The monument has never under gone any repair and is now showing the years of wear. A drive has been ongoing raising funds toward the estimated $30,000 in repairs. Donations and fund raisers conducted the past two years have raised $10,000, or about one third of the total cost.
The next fund raiser is to be held Thursday, Aug. 15 at the monument site where the public is invited to hear local historian Pat Drouhard portray Robert Long, one of the Defenders of the Union whose names are inscribed on the monument. The program will run from 7 to 7:45 p.m.
Admission cost is $10 per person with the money going toward the restoration.
Tickets will also be sold to those wishing to visit Bunker’s Mill Winery following the portrayal presentation. Wine vouchers will be $5.
The Soldiers Monument stood in the center of East Main Street and Center Street in Cardington from 1889 to 1897 when it was moved to its present location.
Inscribed on the long vertical panel on the front are the names of 36
members of the 96th O. V. I. Each side and the back of the monument lists different regiments.
The monument trustees are also inscribed: J. White, J. S. Peck, Jas. Rose, J.B. Waring, H. S. Green, M. A. Cady, R. W. Long and T. W. Long.
For information about the program contact Dawn Ruehrmund at 419-210-0794.
