Cenotaph
Memorial Park Cenotaph Beautification Project
The $137,500 cenotaph revitalization project at Memorial Park is now a reality and what a beautiful reality it is.
It’s been years in the making, and COVID-19 almost had its way with the project earlier this year, but with Howes Your Yard it is now completed.
To complete the refurbishment, the legion’s contributing $100,000 towards that $137,500 total; the municipality budgeted $12,500 and then there was a $25,000 grant.
The Port Hope Cenotaph stands in the Municipality's Memorial Park on Queen Street.
For several years following WWI the Port Hope Chapter of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire devoted their time to raise funds for the design and construction of the Cenotaph. Classically inspired and with gothic touches, an unusual open arch crowns the top.
In 1926 this impressive monument was unveiled. On the front of the memorial are inscribed the names of the local men who died in the Great War, and the names of the historic battles are carved in the shaft for all to remember. Statues of peace adorn the memorial, looking out for the souls lost in the horrific battles. The names of those lost in World War II were added later, as was a bronze plaque to acknowledge the Korean War.
In 2018, work was completed on the monument to repair deteriorating lettering, surface cleaning and repairs to the cross-bed flower beds. The next phase of the project included accessible upgrades to the landscaping and structures around the monument.
Monogrammed Stone Program
The Municipality of Port Hope in partnership with the Legion Branch #30 have launched a paver program for those that want to contribute to the project
Fundraising Option #1
PAVER STONES ARE OFFERED IN TWO STYLES
INDIVIDUAL NAMES.
The Cost of each Name Paver is $100.00
Your Individual Name Paver will be engraved with ¾” letters with a maximum of 11 letters per line. 1 space equals 1 letter. There are a maximum of 5 lines.
UNIFORMED ORGANIZATION EMBLEMS
The Cost of each Emblem Paver is $125.00. Your Uniformed Organization Paver will be engraved with an emblem and one line of lettering. A suitable copy of the emblem is required.
Fundraising Option #2
MAKE A DONATION
Every bit counts! All cash donations are welcome and will be used to help offset the cost to complete the Cenotaph Beautification Project.
The revitalization of the Port Hope War Memorial Cenotaph will continue to support the work of recognizing and honouring Veterans and current Armed Forces members. This focal point in Memorial Park is to host the annual Remembrance Day services, which honours the fallen, and those who currently service.
We invite everyone to take the time to visit and reflect on its meaning.
Thank you to our Cenotaph Chair Wayne Stephens for leading this wonderful project. Your talent and inspiration in getting this project completed are immeasurable.
And Thank you to the Municipality for their support throughout the process of completing this project.
And a final note from our chairman Wayne Stephens....
This isn’t really for the legion, it’s for the veterans, what they represent and what they’ve done. This is for the people who gave us our freedom, for the people who came home and for the ones who never made it back home.