JACKSON, Mich. (July 11, 2022) – In a partnership by the Jackson County Michigan Historical Society and the Jackson County Republican Committee, the 112-year-old “Under the Oaks” historic plaque was restored to its original beauty. “I’m extremely proud of this parentship. Projects like this show how working together, we can achieve great heights, such as preserving this historic anti-slavery plaque that will inspire generations to come,” said Maurice Imhoff, President of the Jackson County Michigan Historical Society.

The historic plaque was restored by Giorgio Gikas and his assistant Clifton English of Venus Bronze works, which is one of the top sculptural restoration firms in the country. Its founder, Giorgio Gikas, learned his trade in the artists’ foundry run by his family in Athens, Greece, and he brought the skills to the U.S. in the 1970s.

On June 4, 1910, President William Howard Taft visited Jackson to dedicate the monument. “History is worth preserving; and 168 years ago the Republican Party was founded at ‘Under the Oaks’ right here in Jackson.” We are proud to partner with the Historical Society in taking this small step toward preserving this site.” said Tom Mackinder, Chair Jackson County Republican Committee.

Another noteworthy visit included presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower. On October 1, 1952, Eisenhower visited the Under the Oaks Park where the monument is located. According to a Jackson Citizen Patriot article, Eisenhower told the crowd, “I had heard of the Republican rock. I always believed it was a lonely rock. I pictured it in the middle of a river or a lake or something. Instead, look what I found!” Several years later, on the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Republican Party, Vice President Richard M. Nixon came to the Under the Oaks Park and spoke next to the plaque.