Now that the major construction work is complete, the final touches are ongoing at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s.
The site is undergoing a complete refurbishment ahead of the historic interment of the remains of an unknown soldier on July 1st.
The National War Memorial is also marking its 100th anniversary this year, and its age has been showing.
Local artist Morgan MacDonald has been hired to spruce up the iconic statues representing the harvesters, woodsmen and miners who volunteered in the thousands to fight in World War I.
Morgan MacDonald at the War Memorial. (VOCM News)
MacDonald says the original patina on the bronze statues would likely have been black, rather than the green that’s familiar to many today.
He says he’s working on restoring the darker look.
“It’s a bit awkward because they’re in their various poses, and you have to get into these difficult spots, nooks and crannies,” he said, describing the process of using chemicals and a blowtorch to restore the original colours.
Provincial government officials say the site will be ready for Memorial Day in just over two weeks.
