Restorations in Store for Forest Lawn's Red Jacket Statue | News

Buffalo, N.Y. - As Western New York gets ready to mark the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, a statue honoring one of the war's heroes is finally scheduled to get a makeover.

The statue of Seneca Indian Chief, Red Jacket, has greeted visitors of Forest Lawn Cemetery for more than 100 years. It hasn't been restored since it was build back in 1891, and is in need of some repairs.

Assemblyman Sam Hoyt secured $25,000 in state funding for the restoration project. He says, despite the hard economic times, it's important to spend money on projects that he says will give back to the community.

"Yes, there's a budget crisis. But you can't ignore the great assets that are economic development money generators. Tourism is a very important part of our local economy."

Hoyt says, once renovated, the statue of Red Jacket will make a beautiful new entrance to the cemetery and a great compliment to the War of 1812 celebrations taking place in 2012.