On Sept. 7, melted, dripped candle wax was discovered over an extensive area of the granite base and steps of the Winged Victory Monument — the west Capitol Campus memorial that honors Washington citizens who served in World War I — leaving behind oil stains on the stone.

There were no overnight vigils scheduled on the campus during the weekend, so it is not known who lit the candles or why. The damage was discovered late afternoon and efforts to remove the wax began immediately. Oils from the melted wax, which appear as dark staining on the light gray granite, can be extremely difficult to remove once soaked into the stone surface.

The Capitol Conservator, a professional conservator with Architectural Resources Group, who is under contract to DES, was contacted for guidance on an effective cleanup protocol that won't damage the stone.

Following the consultation, Enterprise Services began using a mild detergent and warm water to remove the wax and oil stains. Due to the extent of the oil staining, and depending on the effectiveness of initial efforts, additional products or a poultice may be needed for complete removal. The work could take a week or 10 days to complete.

Shortly after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the memorials of the Capitol Campus, including Winged Victory, became focal points for collective, public expression. Because they are open to the public and are intended to support this kind of activity, it is not unexpected that such use will occasionally result in extraordinary maintenance and cleaning.

The advance scheduling of events on the Capitol Campus is strongly encouraged to facilitate respectful use, effective stewardship and to prevent costly damage to these public assets.

The Department of Enterprise Services maintains the 486-acre Capitol Campus, including the war memorials and public works of art.

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