Created Equal

America’s 250th Anniversary · A Created Equal Civics Project

Created Equal commemorative concrete bench

A commemorative bench that casts two words from the Declaration of Independence directly into concrete, so the promise cannot fade.

Concept illustration of the Created Equal bench, a precast concrete bench with the words ‘created equal’ in eighteenth-century script cast into its parchment-toned back.
Lettered in the hand of Timothy Matlack, the clerk credited with engrossing the Declaration of Independence, in parchment and ink tones to match the original.  Concept sketch, Doty & Sons B4550.
Inquire about a benchRead the idea behind it

The bench at a glance

  • Permanent

    Formed into the concrete itself.  Nothing painted or bolted on to wear away.

  • Meaningful

    A founding ideal, sited where a community already sits down together.

  • Built to last

    Solid precast concrete, 570 lbs, made to stand outdoors through Illinois seasons.

  • Illinois made

    Cast by Doty & Sons Concrete Products, Sycamore, Illinois, family owned since 1948.

Why it matters

From the Declaration’s 250th to the Constitution’s 250th in 2037, this bench gives a park district, library, or municipality a lasting, on site way to keep the founding promise in view for “ourselves and our Posterity.”

Each bench is individually numbered, like a work of art, and comes with a dedication plaque and suggested ceremony remarks.

Inquire about a bench

Inquire about a bench