06/05/2026
Did You Know? Some of the most meaningful stories at Wisconsin Memorial Park are found not only in the memorials, but also in the art that surrounds them.
The Great Memorial Building at Wisconsin Memorial Park is more than a mausoleum — it is also a place of history, art, and remembrance.
Hanging in our Lounge is a remarkable oil painting titled “The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 at Philadelphia.” This beautiful work is a large-scale reproduction of John Trumbull’s famous painting, which depicts the presentation of the Declaration of Independence.
Our painting measures an impressive 18 feet wide by 13 feet high and was created in Florence, Italy by the artist Eolo. According to the original display information, more than 1,000 tubes of oil paint were used on hand-woven Belgian linen to complete the piece.
Commissioned in October 1974 and completed in February 1976, the painting was given in memory of Mrs. Hazel Olson, her husband Mr. William Olson, and her mother Mrs. Margaret Storey.
Today, it continues to hang in the Lounge of the Great Memorial Building — a reminder that Wisconsin Memorial Park is not only a place of memorialization, but also a place where art, history, and legacy are preserved for generations.
Historic installation photo alongside the painting as it appears today.