Jason Harpe, RGA’s Director of Cemetery Conservation, conducting restoration services on the Caldwell Monument.
RGA was recently featured in the Union County Historical Society (UCHS)’s November-December Newsletter and the October 15th issue of La Voz, a Latino newspaper local to Union County, for our restoration work on the historic Caldwell Monument. The restoration of the 179-year-old monument, dedicated to Revolutionary War patriots James and Hannah Caldwell, was conducted during a cemetery conservation workshop at the Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, established in the late 1680s, is one of the oldest churches in New Jersey. The cemetery contains a number of historic burials, the most famous being the Caldwells. During his life, James Caldwell served as Reverend of the Church and was eventually named Deputy Commissary of Supplies for General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. James and Hannah Caldwell tragically lost their lives during the war for independence, with the British army going as far as to place a bounty for James’ death. Alongside the Caldwells, the remains of over 40 Continental Army Officers are also interred at the cemetery, many of which were also parishioners at the Church.
The hands-on workshop was led by RGA’s own Jason Harpe, Director of Cemetery Conservation. Mr. Harpe instructed participants on proper techniques for monument and gravestone restoration and helped them to restore several of the gravestones in the cemetery along with the monument. The restoration work was sponsored by the UCHS, with the society’s President, Joanne Rajoppi, saying after the event:
“The 179-year-old obelisk that honors Revolutionary War pastor and patriot James Caldwell, as well as his wife Hannah, was in terrible condition: dirt caked in from years of neglect, with loose mortar and illegible engravings. As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary, what better time to reflect, remember, and honor the contributions of our patriots, especially the Caldwells, who sacrificed their lives for independence.”
As always, RGA is proud to contribute to the preservation of historic resources such as the Caldwell Monument. We’d also like to sincerely thank the Union County Historic Society and La Voz for featuring our work in their publications.