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Apr 27, 2026

National War Memorial Newfoundland

Aerial view of a landscaped public park with flowerbeds, paved walkways, flagpoles, statues—including the National War Memorial—trees, and colorful buildings in the background of Newfoundland.Aerial view of a landscaped public park with flowerbeds, paved walkways, flagpoles, statues—including the National War Memorial—trees, and colorful buildings in the background of Newfoundland.
A city square with the National War Memorial as its central monument, surrounded by trees, Newfoundland brick buildings, and a docked ship by the waterfront at sunset.A city square with the National War Memorial as its central monument, surrounded by trees, Newfoundland brick buildings, and a docked ship by the waterfront at sunset.
Two views of a paved pathway with benches, trees, and grass in an urban park near the National War Memorial in Newfoundland; buildings and flags are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.Two views of a paved pathway with benches, trees, and grass in an urban park near the National War Memorial in Newfoundland; buildings and flags are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A city park at night with lit street lamps, benches, winding concrete paths, and trees; the National War Memorial of Newfoundland rises in the background alongside buildings and parked cars.A city park at night with lit street lamps, benches, winding concrete paths, and trees; the National War Memorial of Newfoundland rises in the background alongside buildings and parked cars.
Stone monument with steps and railings in an urban park, surrounded by buildings, trees, streetlights, and flagpoles displaying Canadian and British flags—this is the Newfoundland National War Memorial.Stone monument with steps and railings in an urban park, surrounded by buildings, trees, streetlights, and flagpoles displaying Canadian and British flags—this is the Newfoundland National War Memorial.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, part of the National War Memorial in Newfoundland, stands on a set of steps overlooking a river, with Canadian and British flags and a sunset in the background.The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, part of the National War Memorial in Newfoundland, stands on a set of steps overlooking a river, with Canadian and British flags and a sunset in the background.
Stone stairs lead up to the National War Memorial, surrounded by street lamps and flowers in a landscaped urban park at dusk.Stone stairs lead up to the National War Memorial, surrounded by street lamps and flowers in a landscaped urban park at dusk.
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Designing for Memory: The Landscape Renewal of Newfoundland’s National War Memorial

Unveiled on July 1, 1924 — before Newfoundland was even part of Canada — the National War Memorial in St. John’s is the oldest of its kind in the country. As it approached its centennial, the province undertook a comprehensive refurbishment led by Mills & Wright Landscape Architecture: a project that balanced heritage preservation, improved accessibility, and the introduction of new commemorative meaning.

The centerpiece is Canada’s second Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to a Newfoundland soldier repatriated from France. The tomb is crafted from Canadian black granite and labradorite from Labrador, marked with a bronze bouquet of forget-me-nots — materials and symbols chosen to reflect the province’s land and identity.

Across the broader site, historic granite and sculptures were carefully preserved, aging metalwork replaced with historically accurate replicas, and invasive plantings removed in favor of native species. Dormant historic planting beds were reintroduced, featuring flowers tied to wartime remembrance. Accessibility improvements throughout ensured the site is welcoming to all.

The project earned the 2025 Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, alongside multiple Atlantic regional honors. Maglin Site Furniture is honored to have contributed Ogden Benches to the renewed public spaces — a small part of a landscape built to endure.

Products featured in this project