Designed by Martin Milmore in 1872, The Soldier represents those from Framingham who gave their lives during the Civil War.

Saturday's cleaning of the outdoor sculpture was in anticipation of a ceremony to preserve the Edgell Memorial Library and part of the Framingham History Center's Civil War Encampment weekend.

Built to commemorate the valor of Civil War soldiers, Edgell Memorial Library was the town of Framinghams' first free-standing public library and remains a testament to the spirit of civic engagement and public service which built it, according to the Framingham History Center.

The Library is a cultural pillar of the community, which rallied to build it in 1872 and once again to save it from demolition in 1963, according to the Center.

It is currently used as a cultural community center by the Framingham History Center, for monthly programming, local exhibitions, a museum shop, storage  and office space. Recently, the Partners in Preservation awarded the Center $100,000 for restoration efforts.

In 1999, in anticipation of the 300th anniversary of Framingham, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 2112 working with a conservator determined the health of the The Soldier sculpture, studied the science of how to clean it and brought the monument back to life, while earning a Girl Scout patch.

The Troop was recognized nationally and during the re-dedication ceremony for the sculpture, a representative from the Massachusetts Historical Commission attended the ceremony