Work started Tuesday to strip an image and references to Christopher Columbus from the Italian Heritage Monument at Chelsea Parade, in preparation for a rededication ceremony to be scheduled later this month. The Norwich Italian Heritage and Cultural Committee announced plans in June to remove the bust of Columbus engraved into the one side of the monument and to remove wording that referred to the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage in 1492. The monument was dedicated in 1992 to mark the anniversary.

The Columbus bust is being replaced with a color porcelain globe with the American and Italian flags, and a plaque will be inserted to rededicate the monument in the memory of Italian immigrants who settled in Norwich. A stone bench that also referred to the “Columbus monument committee” was removed and will be replaced.