Students at the Alvirne High School Palmer CTE Center have been working to recently to give the town’s five large Toy Soldiers a bit of a much-needed makeover.
Since the display was taken down after the holidays it was determined that the group of soldiers needed some touch-ups before making their return next season.
The restoration project was then given to the students at the Palmer Center Construction Program.
According to the Construction Instructor, Matt Somers, this isn’t the first time the high school was asked to work on the soldiers. It happens periodically, when the town needs help.
Back when Somers attended Alvirne High School, between 1990 and 1994, he was actually one of the students to help give the figures a brush-up.
The 12-foot high soldiers have been displayed in town since 1995, when the Hudson Chamber of Commerce purchased them and donated them to the town.
The group was said to be originally displayed in New York City.
They also spent a number of years at Benson Wild Animal Farm as part of the parks Christmas display.
It also been reported that the soldiers spent some time outside the North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody Mass.,
Besides sanding and painting the five historic figures, some minor reconstruction has also been done to parts of the men by the students.
One soldier had part of his hand replaced due to some minor rot.
The group will remain at the school until at least this spring, according to Somers. “Finding space will be a bit of a challenge.” he said.