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Cole family donates 1962 Miss Madison watercolor to Madison City
Summary
Dan Cole presented a 1962 watercolor of the original Miss Madison to the city, asking that it be displayed in City Hall as a record of the boat-racing legacy associated with Madison's regatta.
Dan Cole presented an original 1962 watercolor depicting the original Miss Madison to the Madison City Common Council on Tuesday and asked that the city display it prominently in City Hall.
Cole said he brought the painting on behalf of his brother, Sam Cole of Sacramento, California, and the Cole family. “This watercolor is from 1962,” Cole told the council, describing the painting as part of a family collection and noting the artist’s national recognition. He said the painting was presented originally to Phil Cole Jr. by naval artist Gerard Richardson and has remained in the family for 63 years.
The mayor and council members thanked Cole and said the painting reflects the history of Miss Madison and the regatta’s ties to the city. The mayor told Cole the gift would be displayed “proudly in City Hall.”
Cole described several family contributions to Madison’s regatta history and local preservation efforts, including his father’s role in saving the Broadway Fountain and securing Madison’s early hydroplanes. He called the watercolor “one of a kind” and said the family hoped the gift would help the city “remember the founding roots of the Miss Madison racing legacy.”
The presentation was delivered at the start of the meeting and recorded by council staff; no formal council action was required to accept the gift at the meeting.
