Damage to Wyoming Monument is repairable

WYOMING – An engineer said he saw no structural damage to the historic Wyoming Monument, which was struck by lightning on Saturday.

Manny D. Pons of Hanover Township, whose office is in Wilkes-Barre, visually inspected the monument from the bucket of Kingston Fire Department’s aerial 85-foot ladder on Monday.

“There is no structure damage,” Pons said, adding the 63-foot-high monument is not in danger of collapsing.

Pons said the electrical current damaged the joints on the monument’s cap, and blew out a small chunk of concrete about midway on the monument. A plaque listing the names of about 57 survivors of the Battle of Wyoming was also cracked and pushed out several inches, Wyoming Mayor Robert Boyer said.

“They would have to consult with a concrete specialist to make repairs,” Pons said.

Marcella Starr, vice president of the Wyoming Monument Association, and Boyer estimated repairs could exceed several thousand dollars.

The Wyoming branch of M&T Bank donated $1,000 to the monument association on Monday to help offset costs.

The Wyoming Monument honors the more than 170 Connecticut settlers who were slain by Tories and Iroquois Indians on July 3, 1778, in a clash known as the Battle of Wyoming.

Remains of those killed were found in a mass grave in May 1832 and reburied where the monument stands, according to The Times Leader archives.

The monument’s construction began in July 1833 and was suspended due to a lack of funds when the monument reached 20 feet, according to Starr.

She said construction resumed in 1841 when the Ladies Luzerne Monumental Association, which became the Wyoming Monument Association in 1860, raised money to complete the monument at a cost of $8,000.

Boyer said he believes that was the first time the monument was struck by lightning.

The electrical current formed a white line that can be seen from the top of the monument to the damaged plaque. The current also broke a large stone block just above the vault’s door.

Pons recommended the monument be fitted with a grounding device to prevent further damage if struck again. It would consist of a metal rod on the monument’s cap attached to a cable secured to the ground. If the monument is struck by lightning again, the current would travel through the cable, Pons said.

Boyer said lightning also struck a flag pole about 40 yards from the monument and blew off a metal ball on top.

Lightning also struck a tree in front of a home on Wyoming Avenue, about 150 yards from the monument, Boyer said.

How to help

A fund has been set up for repairs to the Wyoming Monument, which was damaged by lightning.

Contributions can be made payable to the “Wyoming Monument Repair Fund” at any M&T Bank branch, or mailed to Wyoming Borough, 277 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, PA 18644.

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Expert: Wyoming Monument structurally OK

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