Memorial/Commemorative Bench Program

The Town of Portsmouth offers anyone with a desire to memorialize loved ones, to commemorate a special event, or otherwise commemorate a bench, the opportunity to purchase a bench with a personalized plaque.

Currently there are seven benches on Park Avenue that were purchased by the Town. One of these benches may be memorialized with a contribution of one-half the cost of these benches ($773.21 in 2009). Funds will be set aside in a special account to be used solely to purchase additional benches, refuse receptacles, and bicycle racks on Park Avenue east of Boyd’s Lane.

Benches are memorialized by use of cast bronze 2” x 8” plaques that are purchased directly by the sponsor and installed by Town staff. Specifications for the plaque and a list of local distributors are as follows.

Plaques

Donors of benches are asked to purchase so-called Matthews plaques directly to avoid errors in the text. These plaques shall be 2” x 8” (up to 2” x 10” upon request) cast bronze plaques. The Town will install the plaques utilizing provided hardware and epoxy to deter vandalism. There is no required vendor for the plaques but Matthews plaques are distributed locally by:

Hodges Badge, Portsmouth: 401-682-2000

Interstate Trophy, Middletown: 401-846-1018

Arnold Art, Newport: 401-846-3349

World Trophy, Providence: 401-272- 5846

Matthews plaque specifications: Cast Bronze 2” x 8” plaques, with dark oxide finish, leatherette

texture, hardware: heavy ¼” machine screw w/ “V” head, tapped for a decorative flowerets,

plaque countersunk to receive “V” head bolt in each corner.

Sponsorship Process: Checks for the benches should be made out to the “Town of Portsmouth” and mailed along with a written request for approval to the Town Planner, Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.

For further information, call Robert Gilstein, Town Planner, 401-683-0888 or email to rgilstein@portsmouthri.com.