As well as anyone can remember, the lantern that hung over the main gate at Linden Place was taken down about 30 years ago for restoration and safekeeping. The gate itself, as well as the entire early-19th-century wrought-iron fence which ran across the entire front of the Linden Place property on Hope between Wardwell and State streets, was in disrepair, the victim of age and chronic vandalism.

Master metalsmith and restorer of Linden Place’s fence, George Martell of Martell’s Metal Works, recalls having conversations about restoring the fence with the Linden Place caretaker, going back to the early 1980s. Unfortunately, the funds to undertake the extensive work were just not there.

The lantern itself was restored by local weathervane artist David Ferro nearly two decades ago.

A few years ago, Linden Place finally had the resources to allocate to the fence. By this time, Mr. Martel was in semi-retirement — but he agreed to take on the once-in-a-career project. Over the past four years, he has forged and installed hundreds of metal roses, scrolls and other fence components, and in the process he has given several lectures and demonstrations of his craft.

On Thursday, June 6, the project officially came to an end as Mr. Martel, with the help of Linden Place caretaker Mark Baker, reinstalled the lantern over the center gate.

“This is the finishing touch on a four-year, more than $100,000 restoration project, thanks to our members and supporters, and especially thanks to a bequest from the late Cmdr. Alfred Shepherd,” said Executive Director Susan Battle. “We are are so excited, as this fence is the first impression passers-by have of Linden Place.”