Helpful information about
Waupun, Wisconsin
Waupun Info Site
The Citadel Sculpture
The Citadel Sculpture is located outside the Waupun Heritage Museum. Unfortunately, the sculpture is inside a glass case and you get all kinds of reflections.
In 1940, Waupun industrialist Clarence Shaler (1860-1941) presented a powerful art work, which he had made to the University of Southern California as a gift. He called the sculpture "The Citadel". The lurking, ghoulish figure symbolizes Fascism, which was on the rise in Europe. He looks down on Lady Liberty who is weeking. Near her is a broken column that symbolizes the demise of civilized life. The green patina of the statue is a device used by Shaler to call our attention to this disturbing theme. Shaler valued freedom and liberty and saw these ideas crumbling. Since 1940, The Citadel's message has rung true even to this day. Each generation must defend our freedoms. Through the intervention of Shaler's grandson, Arthur Stuart Hanisch, the statue was donated to the City of Waupu in 1994, conserved in 2005.
The Citadel Sculpture is located on the Waupun Heritage Museum property.