Pasadena Restores Historic Union Memorial Monuments

Conservators cleaned and waxed two city-owned monuments in preparation for a upcoming centennial.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in National Parks

Gouache-painted illustration of a textured bronze memorial sculpture detail, emphasizing the tactile quality of restored historical metalwork. — The City of Pasadena recently completed a conservation project on historic monuments, including the Defenders of the Union statue, to prepare for upcoming centennial celebrations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The City of Pasadena recently completed conservation work on the Defenders of the Union statue and the memorial flagpole. The projects ensure these historic markers are preserved ahead of the flagpole's 100th anniversary in 2027.

Why it matters

Regular conservation prevents long-term weathering and structural degradation of public art. These efforts maintain the integrity of Pasadena's historical landmarks for future generations.

The conservation effort focused on the 117-foot memorial flagpole at Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards and the 11-foot Defenders of the Union statue in Memorial Park. Workers removed mineral deposits and applied two coats of protective wax.

The players

Theodora Alice Ruggles Kitson

She was a prominent American sculptor who created the 11-foot Defenders of the Union statue.

Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue

He was a noted architect and designer who created the plans for the city's memorial flagpole.

The details

Conservators washed the bronze surfaces and utilized mineral spirits to remove accumulated deposits. Heat was applied to the metal using a propane torch before the final protective wax layers were buffed into place.

May 30, 1906: Defenders of the Union statue was originally dedicated.
February 12, 1927: The memorial flagpole was dedicated.
September 2026: Conservators completed the cleaning and waxing of the monuments.
2027: The memorial flagpole reaches its centennial anniversary.

Travel Outlook

The preservation of these sites follows a pattern set by the 2027 Memorial Flagpole centennial, which serves as a major milestone for local historical tourism. Maintaining these monuments ensures they remain anchor points for cultural visitors exploring Pasadena's public parks.

Visitors to Memorial Park and the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards can now view the restored bronze monuments in their preserved state. These sites are open for public viewing as the city prepares for the flagpole centennial next year.

The takeaway

Preserving historic bronze requires regular chemical treatments and protective coatings to combat environmental wear. Residents can contribute to site longevity by respecting established park boundaries near these landmarks.