Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Markers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monona landmarks commission reviews draft Lindbergh marker text, seeks community input
Summary
The Monona Landmarks Commission reviewed a draft interpretive marker for the former Royal Airport/Lindbergh site that acknowledges Charles Lindbergh’s achievements and later antisemitic statements, discussed design and costs, and agreed to consult local Jewish organizations and the original project sponsor before finalizing wording.
The Monona Landmarks Commission on Feb. 17 reviewed draft text and a design mock-up for an interpretive marker at the former Royal Airport site that references aviator Charles Lindbergh’s accomplishments and later antisemitic statements.
Henry, a newly introduced commission member, read a draft that begins by describing Lindbergh as “an accomplished American aviator, author, scientist, engineer and environmentalist” and then notes that “he began to speak openly about his anti‑Semitic and white‑supremacist beliefs,” including his role as a spokesperson for the America First Committee and acceptance of a German medal in 1938. The draft, Henry said, was adapted from materials used by other historical societies and kept to roughly the same character length as existing local markers.
Commissioners pressed for clearer sourcing and debated whether to add additional context about Lindbergh’s life — including the high‑profile kidnapping and murder of his young son — and whether such events were appropriate for an angled interpretive plaque. One commissioner said historical context should not be “erased,” but agreed the language should be factual and concise rather than speculative.
The commission also discussed design details: the panel dimensions under consideration are 18 by 24 inches, and Henry reported a vendor estimate of roughly $250–$400 for the panel plus about $300 for installation. Commissioners agreed staff should contact the sign company to confirm how much text and which images will fit and to produce digital mock‑ups showing framing options.
Several members recommended outreach to the local Jewish community and other external reviewers before finalizing the marker’s language. Henry listed possible contacts including the Jewish Federation of Madison and local congregations; commissioners also suggested checking with Rick, the member who initially brought the item forward, and with Dane County historical groups that have worked on marker projects.
No formal vote to adopt the plaque text was taken. Commissioners asked staff and the presenter to collect additional source documentation, confirm vendor sizing and pricing, and circulate a revised draft — including any recommended external reviews — at a future meeting.
