Rahway taps renowned artist for bronze statue honoring Civil War troops
The Rahway city council has awarded a contract to Ann Hirsch Sculpture Studio, a women-led firm based in Boston, to design, fabricate, and install a bronze sculpture honoring the United States Colored Troops who fought in the Civil War. The sculpture will be placed in the city's redeveloped Veterans Memorial Square, which is part of a broader initiative to enhance public spaces and honor local history.
The contract, not to exceed $200,000 from the city's general capital fund, was awarded at the October 14 city council meeting. The selection committee chose Hirsch's studio based on its portfolio of narrative and figurative bronze works created for public spaces across the country, including Boston, Florida, Michigan, and Indiana. Hirsch is a graduate of Columbia University, New York University Graduate School of Arts & Science, and the New York Academy of Art.
The sculpture represents the culmination of planning, community input, and artistic collaboration designed to honor local history through public art. The Veterans Memorial Square redevelopment is part of Rahway's broader initiative to enhance public spaces across the city, supported through a Union County Capital Project Grant.
The upgrade is on track to be completed by Memorial Day 2026 and in time for the nation's 250th anniversary, according to Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe. The redevelopment effort for Veterans Memorial Square was launched earlier this year as part of a broader beautification and historic preservation initiative. By July, the scope expanded to include public art and enhanced engineering design through a Union County Capital Project Grant. In September, the city announced that four artists had submitted proposals for the sculpture.
Councilman Jeremy Mojica recognized the need to restore and reimagine a site that had long been overlooked yet holds historical and emotional significance for the community. He stated, 'This park is finally getting the recognition it truly deserves. Our veterans deserve to be honored, and we owe them lasting gratitude for the sacrifices they made to defend our country and our freedoms. The redevelopment of Veterans Memorial Square is a small but heartfelt gesture from our city – a place we hope will be cherished by those who resonate with its meaning and inspire those who wish to serve.'
