Historic Kosciusko Monument at West Point Undergoes Restoration

By West Point Command Information Date: Tuesday, Jul 30, 2024 Time: 16:28 EST
West Point typically holds an annual Kosciuszko Wreath laying ceremony, which honors Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish officer who designed West Point's fortifications during the American Revolutionary War (U.S. Army photo by Matthew Moeller)

WEST POINT, NY - The historic Kosciusko Monument, a longstanding tribute to the Polish-Lithuanian and American military engineer and Revolutionary War hero Thaddeus Kosciuszko, is undergoing a significant restoration effort. This 1.5-million-dollar gift-funded initiative aims to preserve the monument’s structural integrity and historical significance for many years.

Erected in 1828 by the Corps of Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where Kosciuszko served as a professor of military engineering, the monument stands as an emblem of freedom and strategic military prowess. Overlooking the scenic Hudson River, it has been a point of interest for both cadets and visitors alike for nearly two centuries.

In July of 2021, a concerned Cadet Nicholas Kramer wrote to the CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) and expressed concern over the noticeable degradation of the monument. The West Point Directorate of Public Works (DPW) soon removed the statue and spire to prevent further damage and mitigate the risk to those who visit the monument.

The restoration project officially commenced on April 21, 2023, when the Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth accepted the gift-in-kind proffered by the WPAOG. 

"On behalf of the United States Army, I am pleased to accept from the West Point Association of Graduates the in-kind gift of construction to repair and replace the marble monument that supports the Kosciuszko statue," Wormuth wrote. "The Kosciuszko statue will continue to serve as a commemoration for General Thaddeus Kosciuszko's dedication, selfless service and honor fighting for freedom during the American Revolution." 

The process involves the quarrying of marble from the White Cherokee Quarry in Tate, GA. The marble is then shipped to the Rock of Ages Quarry in Grantville, VT, where individual pieces are precisely cut to match the original base, pedestal, and spire. Once completed, the components will be dry fitted, inspected, and ultimately transported to West Point for assembly on-site.

The monument is expected to be completed by the first week of September this year. Follow-on landscaping and paver installation will commence shortly after the monument is fully erected. The entire project should be completed by the first week of October.

For more information, please contact West Point Public Affairs.