Veterans Memorial Park

Veteran's Memorial Park is located in the heart of downtown Manchester, New Hampshire, at the intersection of Elm and Merrimack Streets. Established in 1879, it was originally known as Park Square and later as Merrimack Park. The park has a rich history, serving as the city's first downtown park and initially dedicated to Civil War veterans.

Over the years, the park has evolved to honor veterans from multiple conflicts. In 1985, it was officially renamed Veteran's Memorial Park with the addition of four granite blocks representing veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The park features a prominent Civil War monument, designed by George Keller of Hartford and completed in 1879 at a cost of $22,000. This monument includes bronze statues representing different military branches and a central pedestal with inscriptions honoring Manchester's servicemen.

In 2009, a new World War II Veterans Memorial was dedicated in the park, replacing an earlier temporary memorial. This new monument bears the names of all 12,233 Manchester World War II veterans, with special notation for the 323 who lost their lives during the conflict. The park also includes a POW-MIA monument, added in 1991, which features a POW-MIA flag flying above a granite monument at the corner of Central and Elm Streets.

Veteran's Memorial Park serves as a central gathering place for the community, hosting various events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and commemorative ceremonies. Its location in downtown Manchester makes it easily accessible to residents and visitors alike, providing a space for reflection, recreation, and remembrance.