A distinguished women-led sculpture studio from Boston has been awarded a contract by the city of Rahway to design, fabricate, and install a bronze sculpture honoring the United States Colored Troops who served during the Civil War. Many of these brave soldiers were laid to rest in a local city cemetery, and their sacrifice will now be permanently commemorated through this significant public art installation.
The Ann Hirsch Sculpture Studio emerged as the winning choice from a competitive selection process, with the sculpture set to be installed in the newly redeveloped Veterans Memorial Square. The city council approved the contract on October 14th, allocating up to $200,000 from the city's general capital fund for this important project. The selection committee chose Hirsch's firm based on their impressive portfolio of narrative and figurative bronze works created for public spaces throughout the United States, including notable installations in Boston, Florida, Michigan, and Indiana.
Ann Hirsch brings exceptional credentials to this project, having graduated from Columbia University, New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science, and the prestigious New York Academy of Art. Her expertise in creating meaningful public art installations made her the ideal candidate to tell the story of the United States Colored Troops with the dignity and artistic excellence they deserve.
"This is a defining moment in the evolution of Veterans Memorial Square," stated Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe. "Selecting a distinguished artist like Ann Hirsch ensures that the story of the U.S. Colored Troops will be told with the respect, authenticity, and artistry it deserves. Each step in this process – from concept to creation – reflects our city's deep commitment to honoring legacy, uplifting history, and integrating art into civic life."
The bronze sculpture represents the culmination of extensive planning, community input, and artistic collaboration specifically designed to honor local history through public art. This memorial installation is part of Rahway's broader initiative to enhance public spaces throughout the city, with funding support provided through a Union County Capital Project Grant. The Veterans Memorial Square redevelopment project is strategically scheduled to be completed by Memorial Day 2026, perfectly timed to coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary celebration.
Councilman Jeremy Mojica emphasized the long-overdue recognition this project brings to a historically significant site that had been overlooked for too long. "This park is finally getting the recognition it truly deserves," Mojica stated. "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."
The project timeline began earlier this year when the city launched the comprehensive redevelopment effort for Veterans Memorial Square as part of a broader beautification and historic preservation initiative. By July, the project scope had expanded significantly to include public art installations and enhanced engineering design, made possible through the Union County Capital Project Grant. In September, the city announced that four talented artists had submitted detailed proposals for the sculpture, leading to the final selection of Ann Hirsch Sculpture Studio for this meaningful tribute to American military history and sacrifice.
