Cultural Commons

The Cultural Commons is a community based, grass roots project that honors the Stevens Point community’s history and heritage as well as its long-term international relationships with people from around the world. The space begins with recognition of the ancient Menominee people of this land along the river and honors the central point of the garden with a commemorative maple tree.

The gardens is a gift to the city from the members of the Rotary Club of Stevens Point, the Russian Sister City Project, the Polish Sister City, the Nicaragua Partner City, and their many donors. For many years to come the Cultural Commons will remain a strong and visible statement of the community’s commitment to the idea that Stevens Point, Wisconsin is indeed part of a wider world.

Partner Organizations Sponsoring the Project:

The Menominee People:

The project fulfills Mike Hoffman’s vision of a Permanent, Prominent,
piece of Public Art celebrating Pasi:pahki:nen as part of the
original homelands of the Omae:qnomene:wok

Rice Canoe Sculpture: John McDonald Jr

The Rotary Club of Stevens Point:

Rotary International is 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders in 34,000 clubs who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. Our differing occupations, cultures, and countries give us a unique perspective.

The Russian Sister City Project

Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great) is a community of 35,000 people located on the banks of Lake Nero about 125 miles northeast of Moscow, Russia. This ancient city is over 1,150 years old and attracts many tourists to see its churches, museums, and the famous Rostov bells.

The Gulcz, Poland Sister City

The Gulcz Sister City relationship is managed by the Polish Heritage Awareness Society, a 501c3 non-profit organization “dedicated to the education, promotion and preservation of Polish American Heritage.”

Polish  Sculpture:

“For Your Freedom and Ours” By Boleslaw Kochanowski

The Esteli, Nicaragua Partner City

Wisconsin/Nicaragua Partners of the Americas, Inc., (W/NP), a charter member of Partners of the Americas, Inc., is located in Stevens Point, WI. Within the organization, W/NP has a unique Partner City program linking communities in Nicaragua with communities in Wisconsin, and Stevens Point/Estelí Partner City is one of these.