A Mamaroneck Landmark Turns 75: Kemper Memorial Park Rededication Set

MAMARONECK, NY — A grand tribute to the sacrifices of local heroes is still standing on the Mamaroneck High School campus 75 years later, despite being placed in jeopardy and nearly forgotten by the wheels of progress.

You are invited to attend a Kemper Memorial Park Rededication Ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the WWII memorial on the campus of Mamaroneck High School. The events will take place on Wednesday, at 3:15 p.m.

After the death of his son, Lt. Richard Kemper, during the Normandy Campaign in France, Adolph Kemper purchased the land and financed the construction to create Kemper Memorial Park and the monument honoring his son and the other residents of the Mamaroneck/Larchmont communities who perished in World War II. The park was later bequeathed to the Mamaroneck School District to remain, in perpetuity, as a memorial to the sacrifices made by those individuals to preserve Americans' freedom.

The community has seen many changes during the 75 years that have passed since the May 25, 1947 dedication ceremony, but what remains is the promise to honor the memory of the members of that past generation who sacrificed so much.

According to Jan Northrup, the President of the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund, "Twenty years ago the existence of this Park was threatened by the school district. Fortunately, it survived and is thriving."

At the rededication ceremony, the community will hear the donor’s original wish for the park’s future and The Mamaroneck School District’s vow to honor it. Guests will be able to see the results of the collaboration between the school district and the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund to beautify and enhance the park for school and community use. There will also be announcements and readings of the winning essays and/or poems in the Mamaroneck High School Memorial Day Contest.

More information on the history and honorees of the Memorial Park can be found on the Kemper Memorial Park website.

Kemper Memorial Park is located in front of Mamaroneck High School at 1000 West Boston Post Rd. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved indoors to the Mamaroneck High School Auditorium.