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The Asbury Park Historical Society will address restoration of the more-than 100-year-old Civil War monument in downtown Asbury Park at its Jan. 18 reorganization meeting, according to a written news statement.

Douglas Distefano, a professional monument conservationist, will give a powerpoint presentation on results of an inspection done at year’s end. Russ McIver, a historian, will share his perspective on two cannons at the same site, located at the intersection of Cookman and Grand avenues.

The Civil War era statue, officially titled The War Of The Rebellion, was installed in 1893 for Memorial Day and may have previously been on the boardwalk, according to the Historical Society.

Owned by the City, the granite pillars surrounding the site are connected with a plastic chain. New metal chains will be installed and plans are to landscape the grounds. Other monument slated to be inspected are the James A. Bradley Statue in Bradley Park at the beachfront and the bust of John F. Kennedy in Kennedy Park in the downtown area.

Being held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Asbury Park Public Library on First Avenue, the meeting will include a preview of the upcoming book about the City’s West Side musical history, by music historians Charlie and Pam Horner, organizers said.

Springwood Avenue Harmony: Unique Musical Heritage Of Asbury Park’s West Side 1880-1980” is the proposed title, and the book is the result of numerous lectures and exhibits jointly administered by the Historical Society and the Horners.

The meeting will also see the election of trustees and the launch of the Society’s annual membership drive. For more information, visit APHistoricalSociety.org.

[Photos courtesy of the Asbury Park Historical Society]

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