November 4, 2010
World War I landmark not forgotten — just moved a little
The installation of the bronze W in the median of Memorial Way a few weeks ago brought the relocation of another UW landmark — the rock on which is a plaque that lists the names of men from the UW community who died in World War I. It is that group for whom Memorial Way is named, and each of the sycamore trees that line the road was planted for one of them.
The plaque with the list of names can now be found on the east side of Memorial Way, a little south of the new bronze W. The rock sits on a small square of red brick between the sidewalk and the road.
“Many people didn’t know the plaque existed in its prior location,” said University Landscape Architect Kristine Kenney. “We saw this as an opportunity to place it in a more prominent setting.”
Previously, the plaque was behind the University of Washington sign that sat where the bronze W now is. The sign itself was sometimes obscured by vegetation, and the plaque was totally lost behind it. The plaque is now in a location where there is only grass around and where it can be easily read by people walking on the sidewalk.
