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PROJECT NARRATIVE <br /> Stephen Decatur Monument Restoration <br /> Significance of the sculpture to be conserved. <br /> The Commodore Stephen Decatur monument was orginally commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Guy <br /> N. Scovill as a gift to the citizens of Decatur. The Scovill family was a philanthropic family and <br /> had made several donations to the people of the City. They were very excited to commission the <br /> very first Stephen Decatur statue in the world. Mr. Scovill, as a young man, had come across a <br /> small bust of the Commodore once while travelling east, but was unable to ever find it again. <br /> The sculptor, John David Brcin, was a Chicago artist. There is little information available as to <br /> how he was selected to create the statue. <br /> There was significant debate as to where the sculpture would be placed. The final place decided <br /> upon was the Decatur Art Center Lawn, now the James Millikin Homestead site. It was decided <br /> that this was an ideal location where all citizens could enjoy its beauty, and it happened to rest <br /> across the street from the Scovill home. Several proposals to relocate the sculpture began in the <br /> 1980s, and he was later moved to the�ecatur Civic Center site, where he resides today. The new <br /> monument was placed among restored columns from the original Stephen Decatur High School, <br /> which once stood at the Civic Center site. <br /> The sculpture is of great importance to the community. Standing in tribute to the city's <br /> namesake, the statue commands attention to the downtown area. Many citizens enjoy the sight of <br /> the monument and wish to see it in a better state of repair. The statue is regarded as a landmark <br /> in the community. This monument commemorates not only the accomplishments of the naval <br />