Nathaniel Bowditch Statue Conservation

Astronomer, mathematician, and the "Great Navigator" Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838) is internationally celebrated for his innovations leading to safer sea travel, including The New American Practical Navigator (originally published in 1802) which is still carried aboard many vessels to this day.

Built in 1847, and crowd-funded following his death, the Bowditch statue on the corner of Central and Chapel Avenues is the first known life-size bronze casting in the United States, completed by R. Ball Hughes and his wife. This is a second casting, as the original was returned to France and is believed to have been melted down. Plasters and additional castings can be found in other locations, including the Boston Athenaeum. In addition to this historical significance, it also offers a clear sightline through to the Egyptian Revival Gateway, which was constructed from the same granite as the base of the monument.

Since its last restoration in 2012, the protective incralac coating on the bronze has worn away, and corrosion has begun to set in in certain areas—most prominently the globe, the chair, and Bowditch’s left shoulder— pictured above. The remainder of the coating will be washed away with a hot water pressure wash, and a mixture of organic solvents will help to remove built up incralac as needed. The corrosion will then be removed prior to reapplication of fresh incralac which is projected to last at least 10 years.

This historic statue is a tale of community—all throughout the Northeast, people banded together to memorialize Bowditch in a prominent location within the Cemetery. Today, we're asking for your support to return this important artwork to its original condition to honor the memory of this local innovator.

The Friends of Mount Auburn needs to raise $20,000 to conserve the statue to this beloved figure—help us reach our goal!