The Denmark Vesey statue is back up in Hampton Park following a months-long restoration project.
The restoration project began after the statue's engraved, front-facing granite slab was vandalized in May 2021. At that time, James C. Meadors, owner of Meadors, Inc. volunteered to replace the engraved front facing granite slab for free.
When removing the damaged granite and conducting their initial assessment, the contractor said they found extensive water infiltration, which was causing the interior of the statue's existing steel frame to rust and become unstable. They also saw that the capstone had become deformed due to inadequate internal support. Based on these findings, the contractor built a new frame to prevent rusting and improved center supports. Despite these unexpected issues, Meadors, Inc. still donated the total cost of their work, estimated to be worth over $20,000.
“We are so grateful for the generosity and exceptional work done by James Meadors and his staff at Meadors, Inc.,” City of Charleston Parks Director Jason Kronsberg said. “The care they put into the restoration of this important statue will ensure it remains in excellent condition for many years to come.”
