A memorial plaque helps us remember the importance of a place or an event where it is placed. Most often than not, we find it outside of historical buildings and significant places of interest. It was first used by the British to give importance to the personnel of the British Empire who died during the First World War.
The first plaques were made of bronze and were called a “Dead Man’s Penny” for their resemblance to the coin. However today, they are widely used not only to commemorate the death of a person in service, but to commemorate a special event, place or person. They are usually engraved in a bronze plate to become easily recognizable, although bronze memorial plaques are not the only kinds of plaques that you see. There are also those made of steel sheets or stones and wood with engraved inscriptions.
Cost and Care
Engraved memorial plaques will cost quite a bit of money, so better be prepared to spend for it. The amount will depend on what kind of material to use as well as the size of the plaque. Also, it takes a lot of care and effort to maintain the pristine quality of the plaque. It needs to be polished at least once a week, especially for silver outdoor memorial plaques to maintain its luster. The same goes with bronze memorial plaques – they still need to be polished or wiped by a damp cloth to remove the dust that has accumulated on the surface. You would need a metal polish to use on these plaques for water and soap would not be enough and even degrade the special coating of the plaque.
Special Plaques for Pets
Today, plaques are not limited to the outdoor plaques that we often see. There are also pet memorial plaques to show the importance of their pets in their lives. A pet memorial plaque can be placed outdoors like in a small spot by the garden for the beloved pet to have a special place in the house forever. A small plaque can also be placed indoors if the owner really insists.
Special Occasions
The unveiling of memorial plaques is always a special occasion. More often than not, a special guest comes during this event. It is not a question for when a place is given a plaque, it usually means that it has earned a special citation or that is has been inducted to a list of places that are of importance.
The next time we see a memorial plaque let us remember that is there just for the sake of being there. It is a means for us to remember of the importance that the building or person or pet has been in our lives.