Monuments and Markers Database

Glossary of Monuments

Monument Type IconState Memorials—Commemorate all of the soldiers from a particular state during a battle or conflict.   

Monument Type IconNational Memorials— A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or works of art such as sculptures, statues or fountains and parks. Examples of memorials include the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.  

Monument Type IconRegimental Monuments—Commemorate state volunteer regiments and United States regular army units. These markers were erected by former members of the unit, and various state legislatures. 

Monument Type IconFlank Markers—Denote the right and left end of a regimental or battery formation on a battlefield. 

Monument Type IconBattery Tablets—Describe the actions of an artillery battery during a battle. These tablets were erected by the Federal Government.

Monument Type IconBrigade Markers—Describe the actions of brigades during a battle. These markers were erected by the Federal Government.

Monument Type IconDivision Markers—Describe the actions of each division during a battle. These markers were erected by the Federal Government.

Monument Type IconCorps Markers—Mark the general positions of an army corps on a battlefield. These markers were erected by the Federal Government.

Monument Type IconHeadquarters Markers—Mark the location of an army or corps headquarters on a battlefield as well as the headquarters of individual units or commanders. 

Monument Type IconHospital Markers—Mark the location or general location of a field or general hospital site during or after a battle.

Monument Type IconMortuary Monuments—Mark the location of where a general officer or prominent officer fell. 

Monument Type IconEquestrian Monument—Honor a an individual or group of individuals mounted on horseback. 

Plaque—Can be mounted on the wall, installed in the ground, or on the side of a monument to provide text or illustrations about or of an event.

Monument Type IconStanding Statues— A statue is a free-standing sculpture in which the realistic, full-length figures of persons or animals or non-representational forms are carved or cast in a durable material such as metal or stone. 

Portrait Sculpture—A sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. The bust of George Washington is an example of a portrait sculpture.

Allegorical Sculpture— Allegorical sculpture are sculptures of personifications of abstract ideas as in allegory. The minute man statue at Concord, MA., or the Statue of Liberty are examples of this type of monuments. 

Portrait-Allegorical Sculpture—Combines the elements of the portrait and allegorical statues. The Virginia Memorial at Gettysburg or the Princeton Battle Monument are examples of this type of monument. 

Commemorative and Memorial Markers— A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event.

Monument—A statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a famous or notable person or event. A monument can also consist of a historic or natural history site such as Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument.