Monument Replication Project

The Monument Replication Project was undertaken by the The William Byrd Branch of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (WBB/APVA) in partnership with Historic Richmond Foundation. In February 2004, HRF and the WBB/APVA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to confirm the venture. WBB/APVA allocated up to $96,500 for the creation of a replica of the existing Monument. WBB/APVA also paid $25,000 for video documentation of the process of replicating the Monument and $53,000 for editing the documentary. HRF expended over $80,000 for conservation, testing and digital scanning of the original Monument.

The Monument dedicated to the memory of the 72 Richmond Theatre fire victims of 1811 has been located under the front portico at Monumental Church for almost two hundred years. Made of Carrara marble the Monument had been slowly disintegrating; turning into a fine power in a process known as "sugaring." In February 2003, HRF hired John Milner Associates, Inc. (JMA) for a documentation and conservation study. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the monument was too badly damaged to withstand a conventional restoration. Techniques such as taking wax impressions of the monument were not possible because the application and removal of the wax would cause further damage to the fragile stone by removing even more of the marble. It was decided that the Monument should be removed, carefully stored and that a duplicate be put in its place under the portico.

Urn Damage 1986	Michael Raphael of Direct Dimensions, Inc. and Alfonso Narvaez with JMA examine the damage to the monument
Michael Rafael with Direct Dimensions scans the Monument	Michael Raphael discusses the scanning process with Mimi Sadler
Mike Lengyel and Lane Burritt with John Milner Associates, Inc. and Scott McKee measure each piece.	Computer date from scanning of Monument
Van Sessoms examines the scanning of the names on the monument

In April 2003, Direct Dimensions, Inc. (DDI) from Baltimore Maryland performed a high accuracy/high resolution 3D laser scan of the Monument in situ. This portable 3D laser scanning system achieved a highly detailed 3D model of the monument. After the scans were taken a team from Preservations Trades Company and JMA dismantled the Monument. Severely deteriorated sections of the Monument were coated with a consolidant to prevent further erosion during the dismantling and packing process. Once each piece was removed it was placed in custom-made museum grade storage boxes.

The original, while safely stored in boxes, will continue to deteriorate. Unfortunately, the pollution has saturated the marble and the chemical reaction that is causing the deterioration will continue to happen unless a new method is found to stop the breakdown of the stone.

The data that DDI gathered from the scan was analyzed using advanced modeling software to
examine the existing information, duplicate, repair and modify the deteriorated and missing areas of the Monument. This data was then used for the creation of a 1/3 scale rapid prototype model of the Monument. This model is made of "Ren board" which is a type of "poured" wood material. This model is an exact copy of the Monument as it existed prior to dismantling and reflects its deteriorated condition.

The process developed by DDI and JMA for the replication of the Monument is cutting edge technology. Similar problems with other outdoor sculptures and monuments are happening elsewhere across the country. DDI owner Michael Raphael and Mike Lengyel from JMA presented their work on the Monument to The Restoration & Renovation Exhibition and Conference in Boston, Massachusetts on April 22, 2004. Their presentation shared with conference participants the unique method and technology used to replicate the Monument. DDI has used their scanning and replication technology at locations including the Liberty Bell, the Lincoln Memorial and Scans of crumbled blocks from the Parthenon.

Historic Richmond Foundation - The William Byrd Branch of APVA Preservation Virginia