Alonzo Cushing received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2014 for his heroic defense at the Battle of Gettysburg, 151 years after his death.
William Barker Cushing is famous for sinking the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle during a daring nighttime naval raid.
The park was originally established as Cushing State Park before being transferred to the Waukesha County Park System.
The monument remains a rare example of a state-funded tribute to three siblings from a single family serving in the Civil War.
Cushing Memorial Park is the site of Wisconsin’s first state park, established in 1929 to honor the three Cushing brothers who served as Union officers during the American Civil War. The park features a granite shaft monument dedicated in 1915 that highlights the military achievements of William, Alonzo, and Howard Cushing. It serves as an outdoor museum located on the original homestead of the Cushing family. The park grounds include approximately 10 acres of land along the Bark River. It provides walking paths and picnic areas integrated with the historical landscape. The monument site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The base of the granite obelisk, angled to capture the inscription with the park’s tree-lined backdrop.
Bring bug spray, as the proximity to the Bark River often results in heavy mosquito activity during summer months.
Combine your visit with a short walk into downtown Delafield, which is easily accessible from the park trails.
Do not attempt to swim in the Bark River, as it is generally shallow, murky, and not designated for recreational water use.
Respect the historical monument as a war memorial; keep pets leashed and clean up after them.
