Restored Kosciuszko monument to be rededicated Monday

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The newly restored monument of the Polish-born, American Revolutionary War hero, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, will be rededicated Monday, November 11th. Fittingly, it is Veterans Day in the U.S. and Independence Day in Poland.

The statue of the general upon his horse is located in Kosciuszko Park at West Lincoln Avenue and 9th Place.

At noon, Restore Kosciuszko Monument Committee of Polanki, Inc. Milwaukee County, and the City of Milwaukee will rededicate the monument with a special program.

General Tadeusz Kosciuszko,

The bronze statue came to be in the early 1900s through the private donations of many of Milwaukee’s Polish citizens. Italian sculptor Gaetano Trentanove was commissioned to create the piece, which was cast in Florence, Italy and shipped to Milwaukee. In June 1905 the monument was dedicated.

Through the years, exposure to the elements caused significant deterioration of the bronze. To fund the necessary conservation work, Restore Kosciuszko Monument Committee raised over $300,000 through contributions from hundreds of individuals and organizations. Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee also contributed a combined $110,000 to upgrade the site surrounding the monument.

For more on the restoration, visit rkmmilwaukee.org.