Monuments in Metal: The Story of White Bronze in Adams Cemetery

In Adams Cemetery stands a remarkable monument belonging to the Dane and Soule families—a piece unlike any other in the burial ground. What makes it extraordinary is the material from which it was crafted: white bronze.

White bronze, despite its name, is not a true bronze at all but rather a zinc-based alloy. Beginning in the 1870s, it became a popular choice for monuments and gravestones in the United States. While most commonly found in cemeteries along the East Coast, examples can still be discovered across the country, often catching the eye for their pale bluish-gray color and intricate detail. Beyond gravestones, the material was also used to create Civil War memorials.

The appeal of white bronze lies in its affordability and versatility. Traditional materials like marble, granite, or bronze were costly, but white bronze could be mass-produced, allowing families and communities to commission durable, elegant memorials at a fraction of the price. Major northern firms, such as the Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and the National Fine Art Foundry in New York City, led the industry.

Interestingly, these companies manufactured monuments for both Union and Confederate communities. To meet the needs of Southern buyers, they often kept their Northern origins discreet, while making only the smallest changes—like the initials on belt buckles—to distinguish Union from Confederate figures.

Advertised as “enduring as the pyramids,” white bronze monuments have indeed stood the test of time, often weathering the elements better than stone. Yet they did have one weakness: their seams. Over the decades, stress around these joints could cause cracks. By the years following World War I, public taste had shifted, and the demand for white bronze gradually faded.

Today, monuments like the Dane and Soule marker remain a rare glimpse into this unique chapter of American memorial art—an enduring testament to both craftsmanship and history.

The monument of the Dane and Soule families.

The monument of the Dane and Soule families.