The war memorial obelisk at Memorial Park in Winfield. (Photo by Shane Farley)
A newly-chartered local civic organization is planning on raising funds for the restoration of the obelisk at Memorial Park in Winfield.
The organization, the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, has completed its local organizational meeting and will begin regular monthly meetings in Winfield starting Wednesday.
Wednesday’s meeting will be via Zoom, however future meetings will be held at the Cowley County Historical Society in Winfield.
Kent Melcher, the Winfield organization’s “camp” commander, told KSOK-NewsCow the obelisk is showing weather damage, including cracks and foundation issues.
Melcher said the City of Winfield has looked into estimates on restoration and one bid was in excess of $100,000 or more.
“The cost estimates were so high,” he said. “It’s not just cosmetic. There’s some structural things going on with it. It needs to be saved.”
Patrick Steward, Director of Public Improvements for the City of Winfield, told KSOK-NewsCow bids varied.
“We did ask a couple of companies to provide us quotes on restoration and preservation of the monument,” Steward said. “They each took a bit different approach to what was required.
“One bid was for just over $50,000. The other was for over $210,000. The higher bid did include more patching and ‘restoration’ rather than just preservation. But, was obviously substantially higher.”
Steward said there is little wiggle room in the city’s budget for such improvements or restorations.
“We currently don’t have budgeted money for such a project,” he said. “The City budgets $10,000-$25,000 per year for grounds improvements for all parks combined. Depending on the year, that is utilized for everything from replacing play equipment, to maintenance of buildings, to concrete sidewalks and paths.”
Melcher and his wife moved to Winfield in 2016 from Topeka following his retirement as a United Methodist pastor.
He was previously a SUVCW camp commander in Topeka and was a commander at the state level for the SUVCW’s Department of Kansas. Melcher said his family became familiar with Winfield because their children went to Southwestern College.
Melcher said he wanted to start a camp in Winfield and thought restoring the obelisk in Memorial Park would be a good first project.
“Our group thought well, if it just needs a paint job, we can provide the labor for that, but it’s going to be more than that,” he said. “So, it may be a matter of trying to get all the veterans groups together to work together to raise some funds to help make this happen.”
Federally chartered by Congress in 1954, the SUVCW’s primary purpose is to honor the service of those who fought during the war from 1861-1865, according to Melcher. Doing so includes maintaining the gravestones of Civil War veterans and dedicating new headstones for those veterans whose graves were never marked.
Camps around the U.S. also encourage community Memorial Day commemorations, including services at local cemeteries. In some locations, camps have organized parades, encouraged community displays of the American flag, and other Memorial Day activities, such as “Civil War encampments.”
“We plan to cooperate with other veterans’ organizations which have a long-standing Memorial Day tradition in Winfield,” Melcher said. “We also want to participate in Memorial Day activities in other Cowley County communities.”
The Winfield camp has been named Private John N. Eckes Camp Number 10, Department of Kansas, SUVCW.
Private Eckes, who is buried in Graham Cemetery in Winfield, received the Congressional Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Siege of Vicksburg, on May 22, 1863.
“Our members have already discussed priorities for our camp,” Melcher said. “Working with the VFW, American Legion, DAR, and other groups, we may be able to help make the restoration possible.”
Melcher said membership is another priority.
“At this early stage of the camp’s development, our primary goal is to recruit new members,” Melcher said. “As the saying goes, ‘There is strength in numbers.’
“The strongest camps are those who have members with a variety of expertise, skills, talents, and interests. I am happy to visit with anyone who wants to know more.”
The SUVCW is a fraternal and educational organization. Men whose ancestors who served in the Civil War may become members. Those who have an interest in the work, but do not have Civil War soldier ancestors may join as associate members. In the future, there may be enough interest to start parallel Civil War women’s organizations.
For information, email Kent Melcher at 115thillinoisinfantry@gmail.com.
