5
May

The Power of Public Memorials

Our nation is redefining how we commemorate our history, integrating truth-telling and reconciliation into our communities. This transcends mere replacement of old statues, it’s a journey towards shaping our future.
Turning memories into monuments
I experienced the impact of memorials at the opening of The Embrace and the 1965 Freedom Plaza in Boston. It solidified my desire to contribute to this transformative movement towards inclusive public memory.
In 2018, MASS Design Group (MASS) designed the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., challenging traditional commemoration methods. This ignited national interest, rallying the public to bring untold stories to light. Pioneering research and preservation efforts have underscored this demand for change. The Mellon Foundation’s $500 million Monument Project initiative aims to transform the nation’s commemorative landscape to reflect our collective histories more accurately.
In response, MASS launched the Public Memory and Memorials Lab. Our memorials have grown to nearly 30 projects worldwide, all rooted in community-led initiatives and local histories.
Design can transform narratives, culture, and policy. We strive to design participatory spaces that ignite a call to action and instigate global change. Our approach is founded on three key principles:

People are the History Makers

Memorials often originate from individuals who lead projects with passion and personal stories. An example is Foot Soldiers Park in Selma, Ala., established by lifelong advocate for civil rights, JoAnne Bland.

Place Matters

Memorials offer a unique spatial encounter with narratives. The Gun Violence Memorial Project (GVMP) for instance, is designed to be mobile, emphasizing our evolving stories.

Slowing Down: Let the Healing Happen

Designers must balance the time required for truth-telling and addressing historical injustices. As Adrienne Maree Brown states, we must move “at the speed of trust.” The creation of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center exemplifies this, prioritizing healing and conversation before design. Memorials, like history, are never truly complete. They evolve over time and call us to action. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which displays markers from counties complicit in lynching crimes, led to The Emmett Till Antilynching Act being signed into law in 2022.