A precious medallion cut from a limited quantity of the authentic turnbuckle rods acquired from the 1875 Iron Portageville Bridge, originally located in beautiful Letchworth State Park in Portageville, NY.
Every medallion is numbered on the back and comes with a beautiful red S shaped ornament hook with "HISTORIC 1875 TRESTLE" and "LETCHWORTH STATE PARK" printed in silver on the attached bow.
The ornament hook can be added or removed from the chain on the medallion. Hang your medallion on your tree at Christmas time, then remove the ornament hook and display the rest of the year on one of our new DISPLAY PLAQUES.
Or use your medallion as a keychain. Each medallion comes with a gunmetal colored keychain attached, which is made entirely from double split rings, providing extra security to prevent the medallion from becoming easily detached.
The turnbuckle rods played a vital role by essentially 'holding' the bridge together. Without them, it is entirely possible that as trains passed over, the trestle would have buckled under the weight and stress.
Each medallion is also stamped with the year 1875, the same year the bridge was built. The stamp itself was specially commissioned from a Massachusetts company, Durable Technologies, whose artists captured the essence of the same font used on the 1875 date plates that were located on each of the 24 legs of the old trestle.
Medallion are available in two sizes (although quantities are limited):
1. Small (approximately 1 1/8" diameter)
2. Medium (approximately 1 1/4" diameter)
(Large medallions are currently available on the old style plaques)
Two color choices available in each size:
1. Silver
2. Color Variety (very limited quantities). Colors range from:
- A. This color variety (Gold) no longer available. Please choose from B, C or D.
- B. gold with some blue/purple/silver
- C. mostly blue and purple with some gold or silver
- D. gunmetal color.
Because of the nature of the metal, we can not control the exact coloring of the medallions. If you choose this option, please be aware that your medallion will vary in the color you receive. In checkout, you will have the opportunity to leave a note as to the color you would prefer, using B, C or D as noted above under option 2-Color Variety. We will try our best to match the color closest to your preference. If you do not leave a preference, we will select a color for you.
Packaged in a keepsake commemorative box which includes the history of the trestle, this Medallion Ornament will be a symbol of the strength of the beloved Iron Portageville Bridge, a piece of history you can hold and treasure forever!