The Stonington Times -- December 18, 2008
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 Preserving the Past: Effort underway
to restore Cannon Square grounds and cannons
Since autumn 2007, an effort has been underway to restore Cannon Square and two treasured assets of the Borough of Stonington: original 1781 cannons that repelled the British attack in 1814. This local landmark, a century-old public park with cannons and a stone marker commemorating the Borough’s defenders, belongs to the people of the Borough. The upkeep of the land and property is the responsibility of the Board of Warden and Burgesses.
In the 18th century, the square was a hub of commercial activity, with a hotel, tavern, and shippi ng docks. In the late 1800s, the two cannons were moved there and the local landmark commemorating the Borough’s history and the efforts of patriots to defend their village and country became known as Cannon Square.
A quick look shows a lawn in degraded condition and uneven grading. The public space is inaccessible to the handicapped, and the cannons and their carriages are in various states of erosion and rot.
Two public informational meetings, sponsored by the Board of Warden and Burgesses, have taken place to discuss plans for the restoration project. A third meeting will be held on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at Borough Hall.
The Borough of Stonington is overseeing the entire project. The Stonington Village Improvement Association (SVIA) is assisting in project management and fund-raising. From the beginning, the Stonington Historical Society has been involved in researching the Square’s history.
There is work to be done on both the cannons and the grounds. The restoration of the cannon tubes, carriages, and wheels will take place in Pawcatuck and in Pennsylvania’s Amish country. The groundswork includes handicap access, trees, flagpole, topsoil, grass, and cannon mounts. The goal is to complete the work in time for a 4th of July celebration in 2009.
The two cannons will be restored off-site this winter and, while they are away, the work on the grounds will begin. A temporary sign has been placed advising the public why the cannons are missing and when they will be returned. The cannons will be returned in June 2009, at which time landscaping will be completed.
The cost of the restoration project, which would preserve the cannon, rebuild the cannon carriages and restore the grounds, is estimated at $68,000. Two-thirds of the expense is related to the cannons. A combination of private and state contributions will cover $58,000. The final cost to Stonington Borough taxpayers is $10,000, less than one percent of the Borough’s Annual Budget.
“This is an outstanding public-private partnership that should be a model for the region,” says Burgess Scott Bates. “We’re using $10,000 of local funds which, by the way, there’s no additional appropriation; we usually spend this on parks every year, so we’re not spending a dime extra than what we spend. And, we’re leveraging that to get something in the order of $58,000 in additional money from private citizens and/or the State of Connecticut,” Bates added.
A petition indicated the project cost would exceed $99,000. “I think some residents didn’t have all the facts [who] put this petition out,” he said.
Thus, meetings were held and a notice was sent out to all residents. “We’re hoping that the letter combined with the meetings will make very clear what a unique, exciting, and interesting opportunity this is for the Borough. This is really the Borough at its best. It is citizens honoring those that defended the Borough in times much harder than today. I believe the least we can do is honor them and our heritage properly by restoring the cannons and the square to its original condition.” said Bates.
Jim Hicks, President of SVIA, said the project “really kind of picked up steam in the spring” when bids for the cannon restoration were sought. “We had no clue what it would cost to fix a cannon. None of us have ever done that,” Hicks joked. “Everyone has agreed that it’s a great idea to fix the cannons,” he added. The cannons must be removed in order to be restored. “You only get a chance every once in a while to improve the grounds, and that’s when the cannons aren’t there,” he points out. “We felt it would be nonsense not to make the place attractive at the same time.”
“It’s important that public space in th e Borough be safe and accessible to all citizens,” said Bates. “Right now, Cannon Square is inaccessible to handicapped citizens. I’ve had residents tell me their children have tumbled while trying to play. It can be more welcoming. That’s what the design intent is—to make it a more welcoming public space.”
The Borough, says Bates, is small enough that everybody’s voice can be heard. “Not everyone is going to agree but what we’re all going to agree on is that in 2014, at the 200th anniversary of the battle, Cannon Square is going to be a place we’re all proud of.”
By Susan Cornell, Special to the Times
For information on this project, including history, pictures, architect rendering, and project status, please visit www.sviastonington.org. To contribute to this project, make your check payable to SVIA and mail to Cannon Square Restoration Fund, Stonington Village Improvement Association, P.O. Box 18, Stonington, CT 06378.
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This next article appeared on the front page of The Westerly Sun on December 5, 2008. It presents the facts (from the Borough Warden) about the Cannon Square Restoration Project, correcting the misinformation that has been spreading around the Borough following an anonymous petition in opposition to some parts of the project.
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To contribute to this project, make your check payable to SVIA and mail to Cannon Square Restoration Fund, Stonington Village Improvement Association, PO Box 18, Stonington, CT 06378
Jim Hicks, President of SVIA
860-535-2212 -- president@sviastonington.org
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