With Gratitude: Celebrating Amy Chesterton’s Impact on The War Memorial
As her time on The War Memorial Board of Directors draws to a close — including the past two years as Chair — Amy Chesterton has come to appreciate more deeply just how vital and intricate this institution truly is. Serving in a leadership role offered a rare chance to look beneath the surface, revealing both the promise and the challenges of sustaining a nonprofit dedicated to such an essential civic and cultural purpose.
The War Memorial expresses our deepest gratitude to Amy for her unwavering leadership, thoughtful stewardship, and enduring commitment to the organization’s mission. Her vision, generosity of spirit, and tireless advocacy have helped strengthen the institution in meaningful ways, leaving a lasting impact on both the organization and the community it serves.
What experiences or skills do you bring that you think benefit The War Memorial?
Professionally, I specialize in mixed-use development, hospitality environments, and creating places that bring people together in meaningful ways. Through my work at ROSSETTI +HOK, I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects across the country focused on community experience, entertainment, public space, and long-term place-making. That perspective has been incredibly valuable in helping think about The War Memorial not simply as a historic building, but as a living civic asset that must continue evolving for future generations.
One of the most rewarding experiences was helping guide the development of the Alger Center. That project represented a real turning point for the organization. It expanded our ability to provide hospitality and gathering spaces that match the beauty of the Lake St. Clair setting, while still feeling intimate, welcoming, and deeply community-oriented. It demonstrated how thoughtful physical investment can directly support mission impact, programming, and financial sustainability.
I’ve always tried to bring both strategic thinking and practical development experience to the table, helping bridge vision, operations, community expectations, and long-term stewardship.
“One of the most rewarding experiences was helping guide the development of the Alger Center. That project represented a real turning point for the organization.”
How do you envision your role contributing to the long-term goals of The War Memorial?
As my time on the Board comes to a close, especially after serving the last two years as Chair, I’ve gained an even deeper appreciation for the complexity and importance of this institution. Serving in leadership gave me the opportunity to really see “under the hood” understanding both the opportunities and challenges involved in sustaining a nonprofit that serves such an important civic and cultural mission.
The War Memorial has done an incredible job balancing preservation of its legacy with a willingness to evolve. Its mission to honor those who served, enrich the community, and deliver exceptional experiences is something I believe in deeply.
Moving forward, I will continue to be a passionate advocate and champion for this organization. Whether through philanthropy, partnerships, strategic thinking, or simply bringing new people to experience the campus for the first time, I want to help ensure The War Memorial continues thriving for generations to come.
“The War Memorial has done an incredible job balancing preservation of its legacy with a willingness to evolve. Its mission to honor those who served, enrich the community, and deliver exceptional experiences is something I believe in deeply.”
What are some of your favorite things about The War Memorial?
One of the most special things about The War Memorial is that it is the only publicly accessible waterfront property across all of the Grosse Pointes. That creates something incredibly rare and meaningful: a place where people from all walks of life can gather and share in the beauty of Lake St. Clair.
I love watching people experience the campus for the first time. There’s always a moment when they realize this place exists for everyone. Whether someone is attending a patriotic ceremony, a concert, a wedding, a children’s program, or simply walking the grounds, there’s a real sense of connection here.
To me, the War Memorial represents the best kind of community space: historic yet forward-looking, beautiful yet approachable, and rooted in service while constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community.
Another thing I deeply love about The War Memorial is the extraordinary workmanship of the historic Alger House itself. My family lives in a home built in the same era — certainly not nearly as grand — but it gives me an appreciation for the level of intention and artistry that went into these places. Every detail mattered. From the original wavy glass windows, to custom hardware, to the intricate plasterwork and ceilings, you can feel the human hands and care behind every decision.
I’m completely drawn to that kind of authenticity and craftsmanship. It’s part of what makes places like The War Memorial feel timeless and emotionally resonant.
It’s difficult to watch so many historic homes and buildings be torn down, or see their meaningful architectural details stripped away and replaced with cheap imitations. Once that level of care and skill is gone, it’s almost impossible to recreate authentically.
What gives me hope is seeing a real resurgence of interest in historic homes and preservation among younger generations. There’s a growing appreciation for quality, character, permanence, and the stories these places carry. I think people are craving spaces that feel real and rooted, and The War Memorial embodies that beautifully.
“To me, the War Memorial represents the best kind of community space: historic yet forward-looking, beautiful yet approachable, and rooted in service while constantly evolving to meet the needs of the community.”
