Portsmouth Memorial Park

Portsmouth Memorial Park, located at the intersection of State Street (Route 1) and Daniel Street in Portsmouth, marks the northbound entrance to Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Piscataqua River between New Hampshire and Maine. 

The original Veterans Memorial Bridge opened in 1923 and was dedicated to the veterans of World War I. 

In 2009 the bridge, in deteriorated condition, was closed to vehicular traffic weighing over 10 tons. A rehabilitation project for the bridge was planned for 2009, pending funding. The project was expected to last two years and cost more than $30 million but was placed on hold in 2009 because the winning bid for the contract came in $15 million over the intended budget. This stalled rehabilitation project together with proposals to demolish and replace the bridge were factors in the inclusion of the bridge in the National Trust for Historic Preservation list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2009. Emergency repairs caused a month-long closure in October–November 2009, and a ten-day closure in December 2010. 

On July 27, 2011, the Memorial Bridge was permanently closed. An inspection cited "too many problems in too many places" and on January 9, 2012, the NHDOT closed the bridge to pedestrians and cyclists. The NHDOT operated an hourly shuttle bus between Portsmouth and Kittery until the new bridge was complete. The center span of the bridge was demolished on February 8, 2012 as plans moved forward to replace the bridge with a design similar to the original and using the original piers. The new bridge was officially dedicated at a ceremony on the New Hampshire side of the span just before noon on August 8, 2013. Eileen Foley, who had cut the ribbon opening to original bridge in 1923 and subsequently served as Portsmouth's Mayor, cut the ribbon opening the new bridge.

While the new bridge progressed, Portsmouth resident James Teetzel, founder of Wilcox Industries, stepped forward with the idea to construct "a new tribute to American Veterans in Memorial Park" and subsequently covered the complete $350,000 cost of the project from design to completion. With approval from Art Speak, the city's independent art review committee, the project advanced and Portsmouth Memorial Park opened on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013. 

The project was co-designed by Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture LLC and James Teetzel. JSN Engineering in Portsmouth, NH prepared the engineering and construction drawings for completion by Bernier Corp of Exeter NH. The center sculpture is constructed out of the original foundation stones of the previously deconstructed Memorial Bridge. The granite pieces were restored by sculpture conservators Daedalus Inc. of Watertown, MA (funded by Archer Western Contractors, the bridge contractor) as part of compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The Veterans Memorial stands in honor of the veterans from all branches of service and includes 990 bricks in the memorial plaza that are engraved with the name of a family member or in gratitude for those who served. In addition to the granite blocks from the bridge foundations, the plaza includes six flagpoles flying the American flag six flag poles, five US Defense service department medallions and two plaques, which read:

Plaque 1:

Portsmouth Memorial Park Dedicated November 2013 Displayed at the center of this memorial, are the granite foundation abutments that supported the memorial bridge for eighty-eight years, memorializing the past, present and future, these blocks now symbolize the strength of the heroic souls of the men and women who have courageously served our country and bravely risked their lives to protect our way of life. J.W. Teetzel

Plaque 2:

We honor the Army and Navy Association Dedicated November 2013 The Army and Navy association was established to provide recreational quarters for the military personnel stationed in the area or visiting the city. In 1916, a building that is still stands today was erected to fulfill this mission and provide a space for recreation, social events, and lodging. People serving our country far from home became a part of our community as a result of this hospitality. The Army and Navy Association and its spirit of welcoming and generosity shown to our military personnel will be forever appreciated.