The Importance of Civic Memorials in our Community

If you want to learn more about the importance of civic memorials in our community, we know you’ll love this article from the Sgobba’s Monument Works blog. Regardless of your geographical location or place of residence, there is likely to be historical significance of an event or person. After all, the exact land you walk on or structure over your head did not come to be without some kind of invention, conflict, or contribution of people or things of the past. Memorials are constructed as a way for people to connect with the past and remember the sacrifices, challenges, conflicts, resolutions, and growth of the nation, and communities within, over time.

What are civic memorials?

Civic memorials are structures dedicated to honoring public servants, war heroes, or significant events that occurred in the name of freedom and democracy. Memorials and monuments symbolize respect and remembrance with the goal of teaching future generations of the good, bad, and ugly of past experiences. The way in which people and events are remembered can change over time, but that is also an important aspect of a memorial itself.

Civic memorials can come in many physical forms such as but not limited to: 

• Plaques 
• Benches
• Statues
• Landscape gardens
• Granite walls
• Flags
• Portraits
• Landmarks
• Artifacts

With each of these it gives individuals the opportunity to mourn or commemorate local, national, and cultural people, in addition to significant events.

Community Importance

The idea of community is to come together as a group of diverse people and create a shared experience. Civic memorials allow communities to embrace achievements, experiences, or hardships. There is so much to learn from each other and past events. Civic memorial dedications are just one way to learn, understand, and question how our communities formed, and why or how cultures within a community are the way they are.

It is important to note that not everyone within a community will agree with the dedication of a civic memorial, or even view one as a memorial at all. But, that is okay, and as a matter of fact adds great value when understanding the significance and story behind what transpired for something to become a civic memorial. As time passes, the importance and perspective of civic memorials can change.

PRO TIP: Read our recent blog post to learn differences between a headstone and a monument. We know it will be informative.

The Impact of Civic Memorials on a Community

Economic 

For some communities, civic memorials contribute to its economy. Depending on the location and significance, civic memorials can be a tourist attraction and destination. With that, increased visitors to an area can contribute in a positive way to surrounding businesses and organizations: hotels, restaurants, memorabilia shops, transportation services, guided tours, and nonprofits. 

Educational

Public schools thrive on integrating civic memorials into their curriculum, especially if that memorial is “in their backyard.” It is a way to enrich a topic about a person, place or even, and make what they’re learning in school relevant to them.

Political

Civic memorials no doubt  in some way, shape, or form the stigma of politics attached to them. Because of that community members may share different perspectives on its significance and importance. Regardless of your political affiliation, it is encouraged that you do your research to see all perspectives. Civic memorials are not created and dedicated on a whim.

Social and Cultural

Today, communities across the country are very diverse. Unique community cultures are made up by people of different race, age, gender, and religions living together. Civic memorials are a way for communities to recognize and embrace social and cultural differences.

Wrapping Up: The Importance of Civic Memorials

Regardless of geographic location, civic memorials are important to any community. It is a way for people to remember, respect, mourn, and commemorate people, events, and places of historical or civic importance. Memorializing how democracy and freedom are upheld is a critical aspect of our culture, and is integrated into our communities, making civic memorials important.

If you are located in New Jersey and want to learn more about custom civic memorials and plaques to commemorate an event, please contact Sgobba’s Monument Works. We are located in Paterson at address 1 River Terrace, Paterson, NJ 07502. Please contact us today to learn more about our services and some of what we offer. In addition to being one of Passaic County, NJ’s most respected headstone maker, we are extremely experienced in designing and erecting custom civic memorials too and we look forward to your next project.