"LADY OF THE WOODS"

BY: RICHARD GREENWALD

The white pewter statue that graces Jackson Park, which is sometimes referred to as "Lady of the Woods" was originally known as "Commerce and Arts."  The statue was done by sculptor Gustav Haug.  It stood over the entrance of the Old Chamber of Commerce building (now the Mackie Building) on East Michigan Street between North Broadway and North Water Street.  Facing it, on the Mitchell Building nest door was a twin statue called "Progress"

In 1909 the South division Civic Association expressed an interest in the statue of "Commerce", which was being removed after standing almost 30 years, from above the enterance.  After promising to haul the statue away, it was given to Anderson. 

On June 25, 1909 the statue "Commerce" was unveiled in Jackson Park with Mayor David Rose giving the address.  In 1959 the statue was rededicated to the civic progress of Milwaukee by then Mayor Frank Zeidler. 

An inscription on its base reads "May this statue ever be a silent witness to the progress and growth of Milwaukee."  The other statue "Progress" was given to the park commission in 1935, when the Mitchell building was renovated, but it dissappeared.