Washington DC: Lafayette Park - Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko

            Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, designed by sculptor Antoni Popiel, was cast from 1908-1908 and dedicated in Lafayette Park on May 11, 1910.  The monument features a 10-foot bronze standing portrait of a map-holding General Kosciuszko atop a 15-foot tall square Vermont granite base, adorned with bronze sculptures on all four sides.  On the north side is an eagle perched on top of a globe showing America with a flag, a sword and a shield.  On the south side, there is globe showing Poland with and eagle fighting a snake on top. On the east side, there is a figure group depicting Kosciuszko dressed in a U. S. military uniform with a drum at his feet and a flag held in his proper left hand. With his proper right hand he unties a rope from around the waist of an American soldier who symbolizes the American army. On the west side, there is a figure group depicting Kosciuszko dressed in a Polish military uniform lying on the ground and pointing into the distance with his proper right hand. Assisting him is a Polish soldier dressed in peasant military attire to symbolize the Polish Army.  The sculpture was erected by the Polish National Alliance of America and was given on behalf of Polish American Citizens. It cost $60,000.

Lafayette Park, a seven-acre public park located directly north of the White House, was originally called President's Park and was part of the pleasure grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion.  The park was separated from the White House grounds in 1804, when President Thomas Jefferson had Pennsylvania Avenue cut through, and officially renamed in 1824 in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette.  Over the years, Lafayette Park has been used as a racetrack, a graveyard, a zoo, a slave market, an encampment for soldiers during the War of 1812, and many political protests and celebrations.  Andrew Jackson Downing landscaped Lafayette Park in 1851 in the picturesque style. Today's plan, with its five large statues, dates from the 1930s.

Lafayette Square Historic District, roughly bordered by 15th and 17th Sts. and H St. and State and Treasury Places, exclusive of the White House and its grounds, covers the seven-acre public park, Lafayette Square, and its surrounding structures including the Executive Office Building, Blair House, the Treasury Building, the Decatur House, and  St. John's Episcopal Church. 

Lafayette Square Historic District National Register #70000833 (1970)

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Taken in: United States / District of Columbia / Washington / Franklin Mcpherson Square (show map)

Taken on: October 31, 2010

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Sets appears in: • Washington DC: Foggy Bottom & West End

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