It was up; then down; and now up again

ANN ARBOR—It was unveiled in 1914, removed in the 1960s during a renovation project, and will be mounted and re-dedicated in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Dec. 14. This large bronze plaque, recently re-installed in the north stairwell of Alumni Memorial Hall on the University of Michigan’s Central Campus [map], signifies the dedication of the building to “all who have served in the wars of their country, either in the naval or military departments.”

The building itself, now commonly known as the U-M Museum of Art but officially Alumni Memorial Hall, at one time served as the offices of the Alumni Association and during the same period housed the University’s art collection. The plaque is the work of A.A. Weinmann, a New York sculptor.

At the initial dedication
U-M’s History and Traditions Committee invites the public to “join in the celebration of the reinstallation and rededication of the tablet to honor the memory of all University men and women who have served or will serve their country, past, present and future, and to acknowledge the great effort of the University’s alumni and friends, who beginning after the Civil War, undertook the Herculean task of raising the funds for this beautiful memorial hall.”

U-M has two buildings dedicated as war memorial—Alumni Memorial Hall and Michigan Stadium. It was during the 1940s that the Regents dedicated the football stadium as a memorial. Marshall Fredericks’ “American Eagle” at the stadium’s main entrance has its wings extended and its head down in a guarded position, to protect the wreath of honor at its feet. This monument is inscribed, “In memory of the men and women of the University of Michigan who gave their lives for their country…”