Idea for Grosse Pointe War Memorial Began with Contest, Evolved

The concept of having a community war memorial began after World War II. Some early suggestions involved turning the Pine Woods—the area off of Charlevoix near Lothrop—into a war memorial. Then there was the debate on what the war memorial should be. A statue? A building? If a building, what kind?

Contest Began the War Memorial

The Grosse Pointe Honor Roll Association announced a “Pointe Wide” War Memorial Contest. There would be three winners in three categories. Each winner would receive a $100 war bond.

The essay contest was straightforward and the rules for each category were the same. The contestant had to answer five questions, which were published in the Grosse Pointe Review in the Jan. 17, 1946 edition and are reprinted below: 

1. Is or is not such a permanent war memorial desirable?
2. What will it probably cost to build your suggested memorial?
3. After it has been built, what will be your plan to maintain it, and what will maintenance cost?
4. How practical is your plan and how will you make it work?
5. How fitting and appropriate will your plan be for honoring our veterans and would it be a credit to our community?

The sixth point was not so much a question, but noted that the execution of the essay—grammar, punctuation, etc.—would be taken into consideration.

The War Memorial contest winners want a library

Anyone interested in taking part of the contest had until June 15, 1946 to submit their essay—approximately 5 months.  The winners were announced that following October. 

The resident group winner was Kenneth Moore of 422 Neff Road. The veteran’s group winner was Samuel Sheppard of 776 Loraine Road

And the student body group winner was St. Paul School, 170 Grosse Pointe Blvd.

Moore’s recommendation was that the War Memorial be a library, “There is something inherently fine and dignified about a library that makes it particularly appropriate as a memorial.” Moore wrote in his essay.

Sheppard, also thought a Memorial Library would not only be the most suitable memorial, but because “as a permanent memorial to those who died so that our system of government and living may continue, nothing could be more fitting than a memorial library which would make available to all the opportunity to read the best literature of all nations.”

And what did the students at St. Paul School suggest as a memorial?  A library.  “Within the walls of this library would reside the tales, the poems, and the historical facts about the service men and women themselves and their personal, or imagined, experiences.”

The War Memorial conundrum: the donation of the Alger House

Through the essay contest, it was apparent that Grosse Pointers—residents, students, and veterans alike—all agreed that a library would make the most fitting memorial.  At this time, the corner of Kercheval and Fisher Road was already a potential spot for a library.

Between October 1946 and February 1949, funds were raised for the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Library Fund—until a new opportunity for a War Memorial presented itself.

It was announced that a meeting of the War Memorial Library Fund would discuss the possibility of using the Alger House as a War Memorial Community Center.

Everyone who had contributed money to the Library Fund was asked how they would feel if those funds were redirected to obtaining the Alger House instead.  On March 3, the results of that meeting were announced in the Grosse Pointe Review, “the Board of Directors of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial Library Fund Monday night unanimously decided to recommend that the group at large seek to obtain Alger House for use by all of the Grosse Pointe as a War Memorial for educational, cultural, and pubic purposes as a community center.”

Therefore, all of the efforts to raise money for a War Memorial Library were then put to a new purpose—acquiring the Alger House. 

The War Memorial over the years

Although the  was originally planned as a place to honor those who lost their lives in World War II, it has evolved throughout the years and now serves as a memorial for soldiers who served in the Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars, as well.

Indeed the War Memorial is also a place where we honor those veterans still living. Each Memorial Day there is a traditional ceremony that is always very well attended on the lakeside lawn of the Alger House.

As a community center, the addition of the Fries Ballroom has made the War Memorial a place for wedding receptions, meetings and, of course, the middle school dances. 

Classes of all kinds—from dance to wine tastings—are offered through the War Memorial.

The War Memorial continues the tradition: Veteran’s Legacy Project

Today the War Memorial continues the tradition of honoring men and women who have served during wartime.  The War Memorial is actively searching for Pointers who have served in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars or War on Terror.

The Veteran’s Legacy Project, which has a printable form online, seeks to honor those who have fought in recent times.  According to the War Memorial website, “We are seeking stories and photos for our living history exhibit. If you or someone you know is currently serving or was Honorably Discharged from the Armed Forces, has lived in the Grosse Pointes for five consecutive years at some point in his/her life, and wishes to share his/her memories with generations to come . . .”

The War Memorial has evolved over the years, and continues to honor those who have served our country. The War Memorial can only continue this tradition if those of you who have served continue to share your stories and your experiences. 

When Veterans choose to share their stories, everyone in our community benefits by understanding more deeply the collective experience of war.