Restored Lincoln bust returned to pedestal overlooking I-80

The newly restored bust of Abraham Lincoln is back on its granite perch at the Summit Rest Area overlooking the highest point on Interstate 80.

The 56-year-old sculpture underwent about two weeks of restoration work at the Eagle Bronze foundry in Lander.

“We spent seven days, two shifts a day removing the oxide from the surface of the bronze, Eagle Bronze owner Monte Paddleford said. “Once that was completed, we put on two coats of a lacquer that we use on outdoor sculptures. Then we added another coat of an epoxy-like coating similar to what you would see on cars or aircraft to give it more endurance for the climate it sees up here at the Summit.”

The sandblasting was done with glass beads to polish the bronze, and the process took about twice as long as had been expected because the oxidation of the sculpture was worse than anticipated.

The restoration work was needed not just for aesthetic purposes, but to preserve the bronze.

“The environment here, plus things like birds leaving deposits on it, create an acid that will actually attack the bronze,” Paddleford said. “That's what you're seeing when the color starts to turn. It's actually oxidizing the surface of the bronze. So over time, you take something as magnificent as this piece, if it's not restored, it's going to degrade, and ultimately the bronze will erode away over the years.”

Working on the Lincoln sculpture that so many people see from a distance as they drive by on I-80 created more interest in Lander than any project the foundry has undertaken in its 30 years of operation.

“We've been fortunate to do a lot of bigger projects, but none even comes close to the notoriety that this has received,” Paddleford said. “We had several hundred people come through to visit Mr. Lincoln at the foundry. It was amazing to me.”

That level of interest would probably please the sculptor, the late Robert Russin, who completed the bust in 1959.

Joe Russin, the sculptor’s son, says the Lincoln bust was his father’s best-known and favorite sculpture.

“My father was a great admirer of Lincoln … so he always wanted to do a big Lincoln statue,” Russin said. “I think he thought this was his best portrait, and he was very proud to have the chance to do it.”

When the sculpture was dedicated in 1959 it was at the highest point on US 30, which was known as the Lincoln Highway. In 1969 it was moved to the rest area overlooking I-80. In 1992 it was taken down and cleaned at the Fedde Bronze Works in Denver

Russin said the improvement in the sculpture’s appearance following the latest restoration was significant.

“You didn't realize how dirty it was until you saw it clean,” he said. “I must say the family is really pleased that WYDOT has taken such great care of it over the years. WYDOT has really done a great job of being a steward of this statue.”