Before 1930, the Soldier's Monument was across from Tappan Square, on the site of the current conservatory buildings . However, when students began using it as a place to protest the military, townspeople moved the monument to its present location. The new practice reduced the number of soldiers honored in later conflicts, and explains why the plaques commemorating veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars are partially empty. Hedrick says looking at monuments in Oberlin can help students appreciate Roman monuments. Like the Soldier's Monument, the location and structure of Roman monuments enable scholars to discover details about the history and beliefs of the Roman people.
Many squeezes taken from ancient monuments unlock valuable clues from past cultures.
For example, inscriptions on grave monuments may indicate a person's position within society by listing honorary titles, heroic accomplishments, or kinship with powerful people. Monuments are living historical archives that can be read like books. The filter paper sticks to the monument as it dries, forming an impression of the engraved inscription.