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Thanks to a nearly $200,000 grant and work by Jensen Conservation services, the monumental mosaic on the Tower of the Four Winds has been restored to its original beauty.

Jensen Conservation services began work on restoring the monumental Tower of the Four Winds mosaic in May and completed the project in mid-July.

Tower of Four Winds

Tower of 4 Winds

Rob Jensen applies sealant on the tower mosaic.

Mosaic detail

Mosaic detail

Scaffolding on Tower of the Four Winds.

Mosaic detail

Brian Bulin and Aimey Elsasser work on scaffoldTower of 4 Winds

Brian Bulin works on tower.

Scaffoldjng covers front of Tower of the Four Winds.

Inside out. Interior tiles have been replaced while tiles toward outside remain to be replaced.

Mayda Jensen delivers remarks at the Tower of the Four Winds rededication Saturday.

John Thompson delivers remarks at the Tower of the Four Winds rededication Saturday at Back Elk- Neihardt Park.

Mayda Jensen grouts tiles.

Front: Carole and Charles Bagby. Back row from left: John and Dawn Nielsen, John Thompson, Brian Bulin, Amie Elsasser, Mayda Jensen.

Charles “Doc” Bagby and Carole Bagby and Tower of the Four Winds in background during tower rededication Saturday.

As reported in the Pilot-Tribune newspaper, the Blair landmark created by former Dana College art professor F.W. Thomsen more than 30 years ago was slowly being destroyed by the elements and could have been lost for future generations.

In October, John Thomsen, son of F.W. Thomsen,  spoke  at the  rededication hosted by the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance (BHPA) at Black Elk-Neihardt Park.

“How great it is to be here with Dad’s work restored as it has been so beautifully,” he said. “I’m sure Dad is looking down now with his big smile, happy that this has taken place and also Black Elk and Neihardt no doubt.”