Staff Writer

A World War I cannon that has stood in a downtown Biddeford park since 1925 is being restored by woodturners in Lincoln Mill.

Downtown Development Commission Chairman Brian Keely said the group commissioned Mike and Tom Ventura of Ventura Staircase and Woodturning to do the work.

“The intent is to restore it back to its glory,” Keely said.

Keely said the commission considered restoration after members noticed its poor condition. A few weeks ago, one of its wheels collapsed and the public works department removed it from the park because of safety concerns.

The howitzer cannon has been in the small City Park – known originally as Lincoln Park – at the corner of Main and Lincoln streets since 1925. A howitzer is a cannon with a short barrel used for reaching a target behind cover or in a trench.

Raoul A. Goulet, past historian of the Tighe-Beaudoin-Farly American Legion Post, in 1989 provided research on the cannon’s history to the state American Legion. The post had sent a petition to the government to receive the cannon after the war ended. Goule’s research included a Nov. 7, 1925, newspaper clipping that outlined how the cannon was brought to Biddeford.

The cannon was one of 10 World War I “relics” the federal government allotted Maine, according to the article. When it arrived in Biddeford, City Clerk Arthur H. Hevey arranged to have the cannon moved to the lot next to the First National Bank at the corner of Main and Lincoln streets.

A Civil War cannon that had stood for many years in the park was moved to the junction of South, Green and Crescent streets, according to the article.

Royal Sheltra, past state commander of the American Legion, in a 1989 letter said the Maine National Guard promised to renovate the cannon’s oak wheels.

“We will be forever grateful when they do as we no longer can find a ‘wheelwright’ to do this. It seems to be a lost art,” Sheltra wrote.

Though the Venturas have never before worked on a cannon, they specialize in replicating wood pieces for historic projects. They frequently work on historic houses lining Summer Street in Kennebunk and have worked at the Adams National Historic Park in Massachusetts.

Mike Ventura said the cannon is in “terrible” condition. He and his son will restore the wheels by replacing the wooden pieces and spokes. Tim Greene of Standfast Works Forge in Parsonsfield will sandblast, restore and paint metal parts of the cannon.

The total cost of the project is $4,800 and it should be completed by the end of January.

Mike and Tom Ventura, whose workshop is across Lincoln Street from the cannon, said they enjoy working on this type of project because it allows them to give back to the community.

“I’d like to do more cannons if I could,” Mike Ventura said. “Something about it just interests me.”

Keely said the commission would like to place the cannon closer to Main Street so it can be viewed better. They also want to place a marker with information about its history near the cannon.

“We want to make sure that significant historical marker does not fall by the wayside,” he said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.