NEW ULM — The new news is that the public has been restricted from getting a close-up and personal view of the Hermann the German monument in New Ulm.
The monument, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and draws as many as 10,000 visitors a year, was set to open May 2 to the public. But that plan was derailed when a routine inspection by a structural engineer on March 30 found cause for concern.
“We’re seeing material deterioration all throughout the monument base,” said Joey Schugel, New Ulm’s park and recreation director. “Including the upper dome and lower-base structure.”
He said brick, limestone and gunite have deteriorated over time and there is worry about falling debris. A fence surrounds the base. Temporary signage will be installed at the monument to update the public “with what’s going on with Hermann,” Schugel said.
At the monument base, materials have been deteriorating for years, he said.
“We knew we were getting closer and closer to potentially having to restrict public access,” he said. “There are potential hazards from allowing the public inside the fence.”
Visitors can still view the 102-feet-tall structure from Hermann Heights, a lookout point in the city.
From there they can safely take in what is a “very iconic symbol of New Ulm,” Schugel said. “It has a reach that isn’t only in southern Minnesota and the state. We see people from all over the U.S. and world who come to New Ulm to visit the monument.”
A few weeks ago, it was announced New Ulm officials would seek $11.6 million in funding to deconstruct and reconstruct the monument. Schugel said the hope is to secure “large funding and restore Hermann to its original state.”
Among the identified funding sources are state and federal entities.
“We’re looking at it not being on the local taxpayer,” he said. “We’re looking for dollars set aside for projects like this.”