ADRIAN — The 19th-century cannons that surround the Civil War memorial at Adrian’s Monument Park will soon have new bases to replace the old ones that had fallen into disrepair, thanks to students in Tony Aiken’s Introduction to Industrial Arts class at Adrian High School. 

The students took on the task of building new bases for the cannons as part of a larger project to restore the Civil War memorial and the area around it. Interim parks and recreation director Matt Tomaszweski gave Adrian city commissioners an update on the project at the April 20 commission meeting. 

Tomaszweski reported that new concrete pads are also being poured for the cannons. When the cannons are reinstalled after repairs, they will be arranged symmetrically around the Civil War memorial. 

Adrian High School launched its Industrial Arts program last year. In the class, students learn the fundamentals of woodworking and craftsmanship while gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and equipment.

Monument Park is located at 436 E. Maumee St. The Civil War monument in the center of the park was dedicated in 1870 to honor soldiers from Adrian who died in the war, and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The goal is to have the cannons back in place by Memorial Day.