Charleston Reporter

The city of Charleston Parks Department has started the final phase of repairs to the statute of Denmark Vesey, a former slave who was executed after planning an uprising in 1822.

The granite statue was damaged by vandals in May of last year, according to the city of Charleston's website. A local contractor offered to replace the engraved front-facing part of the statue at no charge to the city.

The statute was detached from the base so that the existing frame could be replaced.

"When removing the damaged granite and conducting their initial assessment, the contractor found extensive water infiltration, which was causing the interior of the statue’s existing steel frame to rust and become unstable," the city said. "Further, they noted that the capstone had become deformed due to inadequate internal support."

A new stainless-steel frame will be made to prevent rusting. Crews will then install the new frame, face stone and capstone and replace the brick base trim before returning the statute to its base.

“The work and generosity displayed by the community throughout this process has been nothing short of remarkable," city of Charleston Parks Director Jason Kronsberg said, according to the city's website. "I look forward to completing this final phase of this work and am confident that our citizens will be pleased with the outcome."

According to the National Park Service, Vesey, a free carpenter who had previously been a slave, modeled his planned uprising after the 1791 slave revolution in Haiti. The plan was to execute white slave owners, then sail to Haiti. But two of the slaves involved leaked the plan, and authorities in Charleston arrested Vesey and 130 others. 

"Out of 131 men arrested and charged with conspiracy, 67 were convicted  and 35 were hanged, including Vesey," according to the National Park Service.