Restoring a Symbol: How the Soldiers and Sailors Monument Endures for Generations

Recipient of the AIA Indiana Legacy Award for Enduring Design Excellence

Few structures embody Indiana’s collective spirit like the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Rising 284 feet above Monument Circle, this iconic landmark has anchored the city’s skyline—and civic heart—for more than a century.

As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, Schmidt Associates is highlighting legacy projects that reflect our commitment to community stewardship. The multi-phase restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument—now honored with the AIA Indiana 25-Year Award—is one such project.

This recognition affirms a two-decade effort to preserve a piece of Indiana’s past while preparing it for the future.

A Monument for the People

Completed in 1902 and designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz, the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was the first in the U.S. dedicated to the common soldier. Built from Indiana limestone and just 15 feet shy of the Statue of Liberty’s height, it honors generations of Hoosier veterans.

Beyond its towering obelisk and bronze Victory statue, the monument’s base is alive with detail: limestone basins, bison-head fountains, and public gathering spaces that form the beating heart of Monument Circle.

Behind the Stonework: A Restoration Rooted in Respect

In the early 2000s, Schmidt Associates was entrusted with leading the monument’s restoration—one phase at a time. Each intervention balanced durability with discretion, ensuring upgrades were invisible to visitors but essential to longevity.

Restoration highlights included:

  • Gentle cleaning of limestone to preserve patina while removing buildup
  • Rebuilding brick vaults and arches beneath the terrace
  • Restoring the bison head fountains with improved water systems
  • Installing hidden mechanical, electrical, and drainage systems
  • Replicating deteriorated limestone features with stone from Bloomington
  • Adding a below-grade museum without changing the monument’s footprint

Every choice came down to one question: How do we preserve meaning while preparing it for the future?

Challenges in Preservation

The design team worked hand-in-hand with preservation authorities to navigate some of the structure’s most complex issues:

  • Repairing aging vaults without compromising structural integrity
  • Combating moisture damage and steel delamination
  • Balancing public access with restoration work

The goal wasn’t just preservation—it was reverence. Modern systems were integrated without changing what people see or feel when they visit.

Sustainability Starts with Stewardship

Though predating today’s sustainability standards, the monument’s restoration embraced environmental responsibility:

  • Long-life mechanical systems with energy-efficient performance
  • Water filtration that reduces waste and protects the stone
  • Locally sourced materials that match the original quarry

By preserving instead of replacing, the project minimized embodied carbon and extended the building’s life—proving sustainability often begins with what already exists.

What It Means Today

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument isn’t just a historic site—it’s an anchor of identity, remembrance, and pride. It’s a space for gathering, reflection, and celebration.

And during the holidays, it transforms into the centerpiece of the Circle of Lights tradition, glowing with a new purpose.

Watch the transformation on Instagram »

A Legacy That Endures

This project reminds us that restoration is more than repair. It’s an act of care. A commitment to the past, the people, and the future.

What we learned:

  • Legacy and longevity go hand in hand
  • Sustainability can begin with what already exists
  • Civic spaces deserve the same care as new buildings

We are honored to have played a role in safeguarding a symbol that belongs to all Hoosiers.

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