Swarthmore Veterans Memorial and Honor Roll
More than a century after the creation of the Swarthmore War Memorial, we are proud to have led a community effort to restore and rededicate it as the Swarthmore Veterans Memorial in honor of all who have served. The renovation was made possible through partnership with Swarthmore Borough, Swarthmore Town Center, Inc., and the Swarthmore Horticultural Society, and designed by local architect Doug Harnsberger of Legacy Architecture.
Thank you for supporting this important initiative!
Veterans Honor Roll
The Swarthmore Veterans Honor Roll is a digital record that will be accessible by QR code at the memorial, allowing visitors to learn about the lives and service of Swarthmore’s veterans. The full archive will launch on Veterans Day 2026, as historical information continues to be researched and uploaded.
Help ensure every veteran from Swarthmore is recognized! Residents and families are invited to submit information about your own service, or about friends and family who have served in the armed services, to be added to the Honor Roll.
War Memorial History
The War Memorial has long stood as a place of remembrance for those from our community who served their country. Originally dedicated in 1920 to honor residents who served in World War I, additional plaques were added to commemorate those who lost their lives in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
The War Memorial once stood outside Swarthmore’s old Borough Hall. After Borough Hall was destroyed by fire in 1950, the memorial was relocated in the early 1960s to its current site at Park and Dartmouth Avenues, where it remains today. Over time, the memorial began to show signs of disrepair and became difficult for visitors, including veterans and their families, to approach safely.
In 2026, the Memorial was renovated to restore and preserve the original plaques; add ADA-accessible walkways and seating that invites reflection and ceremony; incorporate granite benches, bluestone paving, landscaping, and lighting to create a welcoming and contemplative public space; add a bronze plaque that tells the memorial’s story, from its 1920 dedication as the War Memorial to its rededication as the Swarthmore Veterans Memorial; and create opportunities to share the stories of Swarthmore residents who have served and sacrificed through the Veterans Honor Roll.