The First Memory Bench
About Our Benches
The Benches: A Summary
The First Memory Bench
by designer Phil Nelson
When my mother passed away a few years ago, my brother suggested we buy a memorial bench to preserve her memory where she used to garden. Being a sculptor, I thought I could design one for her.
The result was “Mother’s Roses”—a hand fabricated five foot long all-steel bench which was powder coated for long lasting beauty. We put a plaque on the top of the back of the bench and installed it in the garden in Portland, Oregon, where mother had spent so many enjoyable days.
Some people saw the bench and asked for custom designed benches for their families, putting bronze plaques on them in
recognition and memory of loved ones. As time went on, I designed more and more benches, creating the series you see
on this website.
—Phil Nelson
About Our Benches
Memory Garden Benches and its designs have been created for those people who want an exceptionally special way of remembering a loved one who has passed on, or to honor and thank a person, or a group or organization.
In addition to a personalized design and bronze plaque, another important consideration is the placement of these benches. Often family and friends identify an area as being particularly meaningful to the one being remembered or honored, adding a very personal touch. In some cases, this involves an area such as in a park, golf course or other public location. If this should be the case, please contact us about our “Donor Bench Program”.
Our benches have also been used for both residential and commercial use, and are designed to beautify private gardens and to enhance the campuses, parks and grounds of businesses, of charitable and educational institutions such as colleges, universities, high schools, cities, hospitals and cemeteries, and retirement and other residential facilities.
Besides offering our existing designs, we make special custom designs. Our designer will work with you personally to create just the right design. These designs are very flexible, and can include the names of persons, specific nature scenes, animal life, corporate logos, selected buildings, and so on.
Your bench can be powder coated in one of a wide variety of beautiful colors with a second contrasting color for the steel back plate of your bench. In some cases, we can add a third color by adding another thin steel plate between the back and the back plate that has the second color on it.
We can install a custom designed bronze plaque on the top of the back of your bench if you want your bench to be the place to remember a loved one or to recognize a business, charitable organization or other entity or program. A logo or other simple art can be included on the plaque and we offer a number of plaque border designs.
We are always glad to discuss fabricating an existing design or the preparation of a custom designed bench
just for you, or your business, school or favorite charity.
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Bench Customers: Past and Present
Here’s a sample list of customers who have bought benches for various reasons and placement throughout the U.S.A.:- Memorials (Private families, friends, groups and organizations)
- City of Grants Pass Police and Josephine Co. Sheriff Assn. (memorial donation)
- City of Grants Pass (downtown Grants Pass and City Parks through our "Donor Bench Program", recognition, memorials, business)
- Rogue Community College (campus grounds)
- Evergreen Bank (business)
- Southern Oregon University Foundation (campus grounds and retirement gift)
- Morrison’s Lodge (family memorials)
- Three Rivers Hospital (donation of Zonta Club)
- Lovejoy Hospice (donation of Tenison Haley)
- Hillcrest Cemetery (memorial donation)
- Countryaire Golf Club (California, business)
- Baker City Golf Club (memorial donation)
- Moanalua Mortuary (Hawaii, memorials)
- Wildlife Images ("Donor Bench Program")
- Banfield Veterinary Hospital (Portland, OR)
- Museum of Bus Transportation (PA) (Donated by Motor Coach Industries)
- Zoo – Steve Irwin Memorial (Australia)
- Cedar Mill Elementary School (student memorial)
Memory Garden Benches are:
- 100% hand fabricated in Oregon, USA
- Available in a wide variety of colors - one, two and some three color models – with special custom colors and RAL colors available upon request
- Powder coated for long lasting beauty and durability
- Custom designs and sizes made to order
- Contoured seat for comfort
- Heavy gauge steel - Adult 5' foot bench weighs approximately 125–150 lbs
- Holes in base for secure installation
- Adult sizes available in 5' lengths (32" high by 26" deep)
- Also available in child size (40" long)
- Personalized custom bronze plaques available