Preserving Italian-AmericanHeritage CoalitionA 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Preserving Italian-AmericanWe are raising a new Christopher Columbus statue on the grounds of the historic John Hughes Club in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, a lasting tribute to faith, heritage, and the generations of Italian-Americans who helped build this country.
Our Mission
In early 2026, Assembly Member Lester Chang drew together a coalition of Italian-American civic leaders, community organizations, and cultural advocates to form the Preserving Italian-American Heritage Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our mission is to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States and honor the lasting contributions of Italian-Americans by building a statue of Christopher Columbus on the grounds of the historic John Hughes Club on 86th Street in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
Through the hard work of our volunteer committee and the vision of our designer, Peter DiMarzio, who oversees the sculpting of the statue, we now have a vision, and we've begun the work of delivering it for our community.
Peter DiMarzio, overseeing the sculpting of the statue
John Hughes Club, 86th Street, Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-led and community-funded
The Vision
Rendered on the grounds of the John Hughes Club, the proposed monument is envisioned as a lasting symbol of the sacrifices, traditions, and values that helped shape Italian-American communities and the country as a whole. It stands as a tribute not just to one explorer, but to every generation that followed in his wake.
The statue takes shape, sculpted in clay under the design direction of Peter DiMarzio.
This clay model is the working stage of the final bronze statue, sculpted under the direction of our designer, Peter DiMarzio. Once complete, it will be cast and installed on the grounds of the John Hughes Club, arriving later this year as a permanent tribute for the community to visit for generations to come.
Our Committee
This monument exists because of the volunteers, civic leaders, and community members who came together to make it possible. Here's our committee celebrating the vision, alongside a rendering of the finished tribute.
Coalition committee members and supporters celebrating the vision for the Columbus statue.
Why It Matters
This mission isn't cheap, in cost to create or to ship here, and we're actively going against the grain of today's political climate to build a statue of Columbus while many municipalities tear theirs down. We believe this history is worth defending.
A permanent, public tribute to the Italian-American story in Brooklyn and beyond.
A landmark that teaches the sacrifices and contributions of those who came before us.
A community-driven tribute to America's 250th Anniversary, built by the people it represents.
Get Involved
This monument is entirely community-funded. Every gift, large or small, helps cover the cost of casting, shipping, and installing the statue on the grounds of the John Hughes Club.