Hermann grounded Descent to earth

comes flawlessly

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Hermann the German came down from his perch high above Hermann Heights Park Tuesday morning.

It's his first break in 106 years.

Assisted by the crew of Schaefer Crane Service and G&S Manufacturing, both of New Ulm, the 4,400-pound Teuton stepped down to a temporary base beside the monument while it's decided how much refurbishing he's going to need.

For three hours, the crew prepared Hermann for his 70-foot descent from atop the monument base. Then, around 10:30 a.m., the statue in its specially built platform and harness pulled away from its permanent mooring and ever so effortlessly drifted out into space.

With co-owner Steve Schaefer at the controls, the medium-sized crane maneuvered the 32-foot-tall statue over its proposed landing spot. Then, without a jerk or a twitch, Hermann slowly descended to its contact point on the temporary base like a setting sun.

With a metal framework beneath holding the statue secure within its lifting apparatus attached to the crane, the statue rode comfortably despite a gusting, chilling wind that arose midway through the morning's preparations.

"It got up to 14-15 miles per hour before we got the statue down," Schaefer said, "but it went OK. Usually, 13 is more than enough wind. We got quite lucky on the weather, actually, considering the date was picked more than a month ago."

"It's definitely a relief," City Manager Brian Gramentz said. "Now, we can get on to phase two."

While phase one activity also includes making Hermann secure, meaning protection from the elements and vandalism, phase two will focus on finding out what's wrong with Hermann and what can be done about it.

His new home base is eight poles set in concrete up against the south face of the monument base. The statue's lifting apparatus will be welded to those poles to secure him physically.

To provide security, the statue will be enclosed on three sides by a mesh-screen fence, and the outside chainlink fence around the monument will be secured to prevent persons from slipping under it, Gramentz explained.

"In addition, additional lighting will be provided around the clock, and the police department will step up its patrols in the area. The mesh screen will stop almost any type of object being hurled at the statue, whether it be by individuals or by strong winds."

Tuesday's successful Hermann dismount is only the beginning for a project that no one knows how much it will cost or when it will be done. However, it does start the ball rolling toward finding answers for those questions.

The city has hired sculptor David Hyduke of St. Peter and artisan Arnie Lillo of rural Mankato to inspect and appraise the current condition of the statue.

They'll not only be going over Hermann's copper-clad "skin," but they'll also be crawling up inside to apprise the city of the condition of the iron framework that holds him together.

"When we get their report, then we'll know better what we're dealing with," Gramentz said. "Obviously, we know that he's lost a wing on his helmet, and there are a lot of bullet holes in him, perhaps 60 to 70. But we don't know what kind of shape the joints are in or how rusted the iron holding him together is. Things like that."

City officials also don't know if the refurbishing of Hermann can be accomplished on site with area craftspersons or if they will need to ship him to a professional restorer as suggested by the State Historic Preservation Office.

"If that's the case, then we're talking a whole bunch of money," Gramentz and Assistant City Manager Tom MacAulay agree.

"If it was a usual statue, it might not be such a big deal, but you just don't find someone who is skilled in working with copper plating these days," Gramentz said.

Right now, the city has $168,000 in its statue restoration fund. That includes funds from the city, from the sale of books at the monument gift shop and donations from citizens, MacAulay said.

The city also has $75,000 coming from the SHPO and $100,000 which is being included in the 2003 bond sale for capital improvements.

"So, we've got about $400,000 to put toward the project. If we are lucky that might be enough, but it's not likely so we'll probably be including more money for the project in the 2004 bond sale, as well," Gramentz explained.

"And we'll be seeking donations from the community," MacAulay adds.

If that becomes necessary, however, it will impact the time frame for getting Hermann refurbished and back up on his permanent perch, both agree.

"If we have enough money, we'll go ahead and get him fixed up so he can go right back up on the monument," Gramentz explained. "However, if it's $600,000 or a million or whatever, then we can only do as much as we've got money for, and Hermann might have to sit on the ground for a year or more."