Texas African American History Memorial

We’re proud to announce the successful conservation treatment of the Texas African American History Memorial, located on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol in Austin,TX.

Conservation Assessment & Treatment

• Client: Texas Capitol Preservation Board

• Location: Texas State Capitol

• Scope: Conservation Assessment, Condition Assessment, Conservation Treatment

Overview

Public monuments face constant exposure to weather, pollutants, and UV radiation, which break down protective coatings and alter the original artistic intent over time. Our team executed a comprehensive, highly meticulous preservation treatment to ensure this monumental piece of Texas history remains protected and visually striking for generations to come.

The Conservation Treatment Process

Preserving a bronze and granite monument requires a balance of coordination and delicate, fine-art restoration techniques. Our treatment plan was carried out in five key phases:

• Scaffold Erection: To safely access the sprawling 27-foot-high, 32-foot-wide monument, our team erected a custom scaffolding system. This allowed us to inspect and treat every intricate square inch of the towering central figures and expansive bas-relief panels without placing any physical stress on the artwork.

• Cleaning: A decade of environmental exposure deposit atmospheric pollutants, biological growth was found on outdoor bronze. We utilized a adjustable pressured power washer to strip away harmful surface contaminants without damaging the patina on the surface of the bronze.

• Local Repatination: Much of the areas found on upper surfaces of the piece exposed to direct UV rays had deteriorated and corriosion had formed. These areas were stabilized and locally repatinated to seamlessly blend into the monument's intended deep, rich tones.

• Localized In-Painting and Repainting: The extensive narrative bas-reliefs feature intricate details that help tell the stories of over 400 years of Black history. We performed localized in-painting and selective repainting across these low-relief scenes to restore contrast, definition, and legibility to the storytelling elements that had dulled over time.

• Hot Wax & Cold Wax Protective Coating: To shield the restored bronze from future weathering, we applied a traditional, dual-layer wax barrier. First, a hot wax application was melted into the pores of the heated bronze to seal out moisture at a microscopic level. Once cooled, a sacrificial layer of cold microcrystalline wax was buffed over the surface, providing a highly durable barrier against UV rays, rain, and pollution while restoring the sculpture's beautiful, satin luster.