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The article reports on the restoration of the James Gordon Bennett Monument in Herald Square in New York City, which is its most extensive in its 66-year history. The monument has been a tourist destination for years with the bronze laborers Stuff and Guff ringing the its bell. The restorers have cleaned 6,000 square feet of granite, repointed the masonry joints, repaired the bell-ringing and clock components. The monument's history in New York City is discussed.

Before the renovation of Yankee Stadium in the 1970s, the monuments to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins were located within the field of play. Fans could see them, giving some -- including a boy named Billy Crystal -- the impression that the actual remains of the Yankees greats were buried under the stones. That is not true, of course, but it still seemed like an exhumation Wednesday in the Bronx when Ruth's monument was hauled from the earth beyond the wall in left-center field. The monument, estimated by the Yankees to weigh 4,700 pounds, was shrink-wrapped and carefully transported to the new Yankee Stadium across 161st Street. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article reports that the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission has allowed the application of the color Benjamin Moore HC-35 to the building of the Guggenheim Museum in the city. According to conservation experts, the color is the closest match to a paint chip which was selected by artist Frank Lloyd Wright in the year 1958. The museum is a protected monument.

The article comments on the U.S. National Park Service restrictions for visitors at the Statue of Liberty in New York City. The agency's reasoning that the top of the statue is a fire trap and so should remain closed for visitors is unacceptable, comments the article. This is because the agency has spent $20 million in safety and security of the statue, comments the article.

The article focuses on the statue "Civic Virtue," which is placed in the Kew Gardens, New York City. The statue is of a muscular nude male youth with two vanquished women representing corruption and vice at his feet. The repair and restoration of the statue has been a matter of debate as its representation is interpreted differently by different individuals.

Reports on the opening of the Statue of Liberty to the public on August 3, 2004 after three years of being closed for safety and security improvements by the National Parks Service. Areas of the statue accessible to the public; Closure of the staircase to the crown due to safety and security standards; Acceptance of reservations to reduce lines at the site.

Reports on efforts to raise funding for improvements and increased security for the Statue of Liberty. Requests for contributions from the public; Controversy over whether the improvements should be paid for by the National Park Service or the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation; Failure of the foundation to tap into its $30 million endowment to fund the improvements; Traditional endowment uses; Other foundations that are reluctant to dip into endowment funds; Suggestion that funds be raised by charging fees to ride the Staten Island ferry.

Reports on the reopening of the Statue of Liberty to tourists in New York City. Improvement of the security and safety in the area; Aspects of the project; Role of National Park Service as contractors; Schedule for the opening of the site.

Looks at efforts to promote the preservation of architecture, and how the World Monument Fund made Historic lower Manhattan an addition to its list of the most endangered architectural sites on the planet.

Reports on the $6 million renovation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in New York City. Shortcomings of the current memorial plaza, which does not comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act; Efforts to raise funds for the renovation; Features of the renovated memorial.

Deals with the effort of Brooklyn historian Robert B. Paterson to have the federal government take over and restore the Prison Ship Martyr's Monument in Fort Greene Park in New York, New York. What the memorial commemorates; Amount given by the Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden; Views on the monument.

Examines efforts of residents of Harlem, New York City to preserve the district's historical landmarks. Efforts to get the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission to preserve the buildings; Structures which have already been demolished, including the Cotton Club and the Audubon Ballroom; The complications in the landmarking process, including Harlem's economic and social dynamics. INSET: A Glance at the Past That Has Been Lost.

Provides information on the vandals on the monument of Colonel Ichabod B. Crane in New Springville, New York City, New York. Comments from Marjorie Johnson, a local historian and member of the nonprofit Friends of Abandoned Cemeteries of Staten Island; Brief political career of Crane; Estimated amount needed to restore the monument. INSET: Necrology.

Focuses on the tomb of former President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife at Riverside Drive and West 122d Street in Manhattan, New York City. Suit by grandson Ulysses Grant Dietz and Frank Scaturro, president of the Grant Monument Association; Suit in April 1994 in the Federal District Court in Manhattan; Request for restoration of the monument to 1959 condition; Consideration of shift of bodies to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Reports refitting of 107th Infantry Memorial by Central Park Conservancy monument conservation crew at Fifth Avenue and 67th Street.

Looks at Robert A.M. Stern's list of 35 modern monuments he thinks should be New York City landmarks. Addresses of monuments.

Presents a photograph of John Zimny, a monument restorer for the Parks Department polishing a statue of Nathan Hale at City Hall Park in Manhattan.

Reports the efforts of preservationists to save ruins of the Billy Rose Aquacade from getting demolished by the New York City. History of the building; Rationale offered by the city officials in favor of its demolition.

Speculates on the reasons underlying the unpopularity of the New York Landmarks Conservancy preservation loans in Queens. Brief on the project and the benefits offered by them.

Depicts washing of Maine Monument at Columbus Circle, New York City, as a part a restoration project.

Focuses on the privately sponsored Citywide Monuments Conservation Program, which is restoring 17,000 sculptures and monuments in parks, in New York City, New York. Listing of the monuments in Prospect Park to be restored; Comments from Jonathan Kuhn, of the Parks Department; Remarks from Greg Phillipy, a restorer trainee for the program.