D&D General They're Building A Memorial Game Table Sculpture In Honor of Gary Gygax

Gary Gygax, one of the co-creators of Dungeons & Dragons, passed away in 2008. His widow, Gail Gygax, has worked to have a memorial or statue built in his memory in their hometown of Lake Geneva, USA.

Set in Library Park, in a spot that Gygax himself chose, the memorial will be a stone table, benches, and a statue of Gary Gygax himself. The table will feature a bronze map of Gygax's first ever D&D dungeon level, scaled for use with miniatures.

The Gygax Memorial Fund will be launching a Kickstarter to raise the funds to make the Gygax Memorial Table. They need $150,000 to make the basic monument--the table and benches--with other elements added at higher stretch goals. At $250,000 they will add a bronze 'throne' at one end of the table, and at $500,000 they will install a statue of Gary Gygax on that throne. The bronze dungeon map comes in at $925,000.

If you pledge at the basic level, you'll get a scroll and a mention on the Gygax Memorial Fund website, as well as a "mini-level mega-dungeon" (that has miniature giant space hamster vibes!). For higher pledges at $250 or more you can have your name engraved on one of the stone pavers around the monument.

There are even higher pledge levels of $10,000+ which are available separately to the actual Kickstarter, and if you pledge an astonishing $150,000 you get a half-sized replica of the statue, an engraving on the back of the throne, and get to play in the first ever game on the newly completed table.

If the funding is raised, it is estimated that the monument will take a few years to build, with the basic elements in place by October 2026.

The campaign creator is the Gygax Memorial Fund, which was founded by Gail Gygax. The mini-mega dungeon will be written by Paul Stormberg; the sculptor(s) will be 'internationally acclaimed' and the project has revived bids from Mike Martino of Lacrosse, Wisconsin and James Nance of Loveland, Colorado. The Kickstarter launches this Tuesday, on October 1st.

This isn't the first memorial planned by the fund. Back in 2012 they raised over $100K, apparently from a single donor for a different design (pictured below) which was not constructed. In 2022 the bulk of that donation was returned to the donor after several years of setbacks. According to its yearly tax documents, at the end of 2023 the fund had a balance of $9,759 after raising a total of $250,157 between the years 2010-2023, although mainly prior to 2014. The Memorial Initiatives page of the fund's website includes details of various recently completed projects--a park bench, permanent exhibits at the Lake Geneva library and museum, and other things. The website provides an account of the fund's activities and fundraising efforts over the years.

 

[Morrus]

$123,196 was raised in 2012 alone (tax info on the fund's website). This was the memorial:

So...more than a decade later, what happened to that money? (If they just let that sit in the DOW stock market, it would be over $400K now).

According to their website, it was a single donor, and the bulk of that donation was returned in 2022 after various setbacks.

2025 Project Status Update — Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc.

2025 Project Status Update The Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization founded by Gary's widow, has worked for many years to get approval to build the memorial in Gary's hometown of Lake Geneva, WI. In 2024, during the 50th anniversary year of the game, the city fully granted the land

www.gygaxmemorialfund.org

In the initial years of the fund (2009 to 2013) raised $15k from individual fans and $50k in corporate donations (including $18k for the Premium Edition Book sales donated by Wizards of the Coast). Then, in 2012-2013 a wonderful donor stepped in and pledged $175k. We were elated but still had been unable to convince the City of Lake Geneva to permit us to build the memorial in Library Park. Shortly after this time, Gary’s widow became ill, and the project slowed. However, she still succeeded in getting the city to grant a site for the memorial. Unfortunately, after investigation, the site, Donian Park, ended up being restricted from building any such project within its boundaries.

Frustrated by the lack of progress and still recovering from her illness, Gary’s widow decided to bring on a new vice president, Paul Stormberg to begin a campaign to re-invigorate the project. Unfortunately, just before Paul joined the GMF in 2019, our largest donor expressed that they did not think a site for the memorial would ever be approved by the city and, thus, the project, never completed. After a long discussion about a new direction for the fund and new design for the memorial, it was ultimately agreed to return the majority of their donation in 2022, with the hope the donor would rejoin the project when it was clear the city was willing to move forward.

 

[Koloth]

While I think this is a cool project, I really hope the city is planning on building some kind of protective barriers around the table to prevent something similar to this: Ten Commandments Monument (Oklahoma City) - Wikipedia
Scroll to Vandalism. I still occasionally run into folks that remember the 'D&D is Satan's work' pronouncements from the 80s.

 

[Sossij]

While I think this is a cool project, I really hope the city is planning on building some kind of protective barriers around the table to prevent something similar to this: Ten Commandments Monument (Oklahoma City) - Wikipedia
Scroll to Vandalism. I still occasionally run into folks that remember the 'D&D is Satan's work' pronouncements from the 80s.

That stuff dies down but it never goes away.

 

[Paul J. Stormberg]

I’m not too clear who is running the campaign. I know Gail Gygax was involved with founding it, presumably 15 years ago, and @Paul J. Stormberg wrote the adventure and posted about the campaign here—Paul can you shed some light on who’s involved?

Howdy Morris,

I am running the campaign as President of the Gygax Memorial Fund and the primary driver of the fund since I took office.

Gary's widow Gail took a step back in 2019 and asked me to take over the project because she was frustrated by the lack of progress with the city on getting the land in Library Park, where Gary wanted his memorial. Here is our 2025 Project Update from our website:

My name is Paul Stormberg and I am President of the Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc. The Fund or GMF, is a non-profit organization founded by Gary's widow and has worked for many years to get approval to build a memorial to Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game, in his hometown of Lake Geneva, WI. In 2024, during the 50th anniversary year of the game, the city fully granted the land for the memorial in Gary's favorite place, in his favorite park, and accepted the future donation of the memorial to the City of Lake Geneva.

But how did we get here? Our early fundraising efforts were good but without an approved location and final design for our project, fundraising became less of a focus. Instead, the GMF worked toward securing acceptance of the memorial by the City of Lake Geneva and the location Gary wanted in Library Park.

In the initial years of the fund (2009 to 2013) we raised $15k from individual fans and $50k in corporate donations (including $18k for the Premium Edition Book sales donated by Wizards of the Coast). Then, in 2012-2013 a wonderful donor stepped in and pledged $175k. We were elated but still had been unable to convince the City of Lake Geneva to permit us to build the memorial in Library Park. Shortly after this time, Gary’s widow became ill, and the project slowed. However, she still succeeded in getting the city to grant a site for the memorial. Unfortunately, after investigation, the site, Donian Park, ended up being restricted from building any such project within its boundaries.

Frustrated by the lack of progress and still recovering from her illness, Gary’s widow decided to bring on a new vice president, myself to begin a campaign to re-invigorate the project. Unfortunately, just before I joined the GMF in 2019, our largest donor expressed that they did not think the site for the memorial would ever be approved by the city and, thus, the project never be completed. After a long discussion about a new direction for the fund and new design for the memorial, it was ultimately agreed to return the majority of their donation in 2022, with the hope the donor would rejoin the project when it was clear the city was willing to move forward.

That left the fund with only a small amount of funds in reserve and we still had no site, nor final design for the memorial. I was then named president of the GMF and immediately began a series of initiatives within the City of Lake Geneva to apprise them of Gary's impact on the City and the world.

To date the Gygax Memorial Fund has:

• dedicated a Park Bench in Gary's name in his favorite spot in his favorite park,
• successfully petitioned the City of Lake Geneva proclaim Gary's birthday, July 27th, as Gary Gygax Day,
• established the Appendix N Alcove in the Lake Geneva Public Library,
• laid the Gen Con Founder's Stone at Horticultural Hall celebrating Gary's founding of Gen Con,
• created The Adventurer's Map to Lake Geneva (www.TLBgames.com), a walking tour map of Gary's life,
• donated a recreation of Gary's sand table in the basement of 330 Center St., the Birthplace of D&D,
• established The Wizard of Lake Geneva exhibit dedicated to Gary at the Geneva Lake Museum,
• founded the annual Dragon Days Fantasy Festival, celebrating Lake Geneva as the birthplace of D&D and Gary's legacy behind it (www.DragonDays.org)

All this to help convince the City of Lake Geneva, that Gary really does deserve a memorial. Why do they need convincing? Because at one point they considered not wanting any memorials at all in Lake Geneva--ever--and were going to pass an ordinances to do so. Not only that but the site that Gary wanted was the absolute crown jewel of the entire city, Library Park, an emerald parkland along the picturesque shore of Lake Geneva. The deck was stacked against us but the implementation of the inititives above and a long PR campaign, including, many speeches, lots of travel (over 10,000 miles on my truck in one year!) presentations to the various civic bodies, positive press in the local papers and news programs, engagement with the local tourism entities, and downright persistence, we finally acheived our goal after 16 years of effort in 2024.

Of course, none of this was without cost. The maintenance costs of the fund over these 16 years included: accountants, tax preparation, attorney fees, travel, convention appearances, city presentations, artists, surveyors, architects, sculpture consultants, domain and website management, etc. It all added up to about $4-5k of expenditures each year. It took time and considerable effort but we accomplished our mission, and secured the site and design for the project. And now we can move forward with fund raising once again.

That brings us to today, starting a renewed fundraising campaign to finally realize what the fans have wanted for years. Time to move forward. Roll for initiative!


Futures Bright,


Paul Stormnberg
Gygax Memorial Fund, President

 

[Morrus]

Howdy Morris,

Morrus.

I am running the campaign as President of the Gygax Memorial Fund and the primary driver of the fund since I took office.

Gary's widow Gail took a step back in 2019 and asked me to take over the project because she was frustrated by the lack of progress with the city on getting the land in Library Park, where Gary wanted his memorial. Here is our 2025 Project Update from our website:

My name is Paul Stormberg and I am President of the Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc. The Fund or GMF, is a non-profit organization founded by Gary's widow and has worked for many years to get approval to build a memorial to Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game, in his hometown of Lake Geneva, WI. In 2024, during the 50th anniversary year of the game, the city fully granted the land for the memorial in Gary's favorite place, in his favorite park, and accepted the future donation of the memorial to the City of Lake Geneva.

Thanks, Paul! So, it's basically just you? I don't envy you--it sounds like a ton of work!

 

[Paul J. Stormberg]

While I think this is a cool project, I really hope the city is planning on building some kind of protective barriers around the table to prevent something similar to this: Ten Commandments Monument (Oklahoma City) - Wikipedia
Scroll to Vandalism. I still occasionally run into folks that remember the 'D&D is Satan's work' pronouncements from the 80s.

Yes, part of our budget includes a $25k maintenance fee, that will include cameras trained on the site. Also, we have worked with the sculptor to ensure to minimize damage risks. For example the height of the throne and a Gary's mullet will prevent any attempts at decapitation, as has happened to the Andy Gump statue in town. Even the positioning of his hand was considered so as not to having his thumb stick out to avoid damage to that appendage. We are also using Barre granite from Vermont which is incredibly hard and durable. Eeven the bronze will be of a slightly harder alloy (and a bit more expensive) to resist scratches.

 

[Paul J. Stormberg]

Morrus.

Thanks, Paul! So, it's basically just you? I don't envy you--it sounds like a ton of work!

Yes, it is pretty much just myself but I have many friends and industry connections who have pitched in to make my concept and ideas a reality. (You can see them all in the thanks section of the KS Story.) I am totally dedicated to getting this project done. I made a promise to Gary I intend to keep. I hope people can put their faith in the project now that I am directly responsible for it.

 

[DarkCrisis]

Seems pretty awesome. Hopefully aside from us average joes kicking in, rich fans like Colbert and Manganiello can easily get it to the 500K spot.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Howdy Morris,

I am running the campaign as President of the Gygax Memorial Fund and the primary driver of the fund since I took office.

Gary's widow Gail took a step back in 2019 and asked me to take over the project because she was frustrated by the lack of progress with the city on getting the land in Library Park, where Gary wanted his memorial. Here is our 2025 Project Update from our website:

My name is Paul Stormberg and I am President of the Gygax Memorial Fund, Inc. The Fund or GMF, is a non-profit organization founded by Gary's widow and has worked for many years to get approval to build a memorial to Gary Gygax, co-creator of the Dungeons & Dragons game, in his hometown of Lake Geneva, WI. In 2024, during the 50th anniversary year of the game, the city fully granted the land for the memorial in Gary's favorite place, in his favorite park, and accepted the future donation of the memorial to the City of Lake Geneva.

But how did we get here? Our early fundraising efforts were good but without an approved location and final design for our project, fundraising became less of a focus. Instead, the GMF worked toward securing acceptance of the memorial by the City of Lake Geneva and the location Gary wanted in Library Park.

In the initial years of the fund (2009 to 2013) we raised $15k from individual fans and $50k in corporate donations (including $18k for the Premium Edition Book sales donated by Wizards of the Coast). Then, in 2012-2013 a wonderful donor stepped in and pledged $175k. We were elated but still had been unable to convince the City of Lake Geneva to permit us to build the memorial in Library Park. Shortly after this time, Gary’s widow became ill, and the project slowed. However, she still succeeded in getting the city to grant a site for the memorial. Unfortunately, after investigation, the site, Donian Park, ended up being restricted from building any such project within its boundaries.

Frustrated by the lack of progress and still recovering from her illness, Gary’s widow decided to bring on a new vice president, myself to begin a campaign to re-invigorate the project. Unfortunately, just before I joined the GMF in 2019, our largest donor expressed that they did not think the site for the memorial would ever be approved by the city and, thus, the project never be completed. After a long discussion about a new direction for the fund and new design for the memorial, it was ultimately agreed to return the majority of their donation in 2022, with the hope the donor would rejoin the project when it was clear the city was willing to move forward.

That left the fund with only a small amount of funds in reserve and we still had no site, nor final design for the memorial. I was then named president of the GMF and immediately began a series of initiatives within the City of Lake Geneva to apprise them of Gary's impact on the City and the world.

To date the Gygax Memorial Fund has:

• dedicated a Park Bench in Gary's name in his favorite spot in his favorite park,
• successfully petitioned the City of Lake Geneva proclaim Gary's birthday, July 27th, as Gary Gygax Day,
• established the Appendix N Alcove in the Lake Geneva Public Library,
• laid the Gen Con Founder's Stone at Horticultural Hall celebrating Gary's founding of Gen Con,
• created The Adventurer's Map to Lake Geneva (www.TLBgames.com), a walking tour map of Gary's life,
• donated a recreation of Gary's sand table in the basement of 330 Center St., the Birthplace of D&D,
• established The Wizard of Lake Geneva exhibit dedicated to Gary at the Geneva Lake Museum,
• founded the annual Dragon Days Fantasy Festival, celebrating Lake Geneva as the birthplace of D&D and Gary's legacy behind it (www.DragonDays.org)

All this to help convince the City of Lake Geneva, that Gary really does deserve a memorial. Why do they need convincing? Because at one point they considered not wanting any memorials at all in Lake Geneva--ever--and were going to pass an ordinances to do so. Not only that but the site that Gary wanted was the absolute crown jewel of the entire city, Library Park, an emerald parkland along the picturesque shore of Lake Geneva. The deck was stacked against us but the implementation of the inititives above and a long PR campaign, including, many speeches, lots of travel (over 10,000 miles on my truck in one year!) presentations to the various civic bodies, positive press in the local papers and news programs, engagement with the local tourism entities, and downright persistence, we finally acheived our goal after 16 years of effort in 2024.

Of course, none of this was without cost. The maintenance costs of the fund over these 16 years included: accountants, tax preparation, attorney fees, travel, convention appearances, city presentations, artists, surveyors, architects, sculpture consultants, domain and website management, etc. It all added up to about $4-5k of expenditures each year. It took time and considerable effort but we accomplished our mission, and secured the site and design for the project. And now we can move forward with fund raising once again.

That brings us to today, starting a renewed fundraising campaign to finally realize what the fans have wanted for years. Time to move forward. Roll for initiative!


Futures Bright,


Paul Stormnberg
Gygax Memorial Fund, President

Thanks for answering. I'll admit, I was dubious the first go around with Gail, but you've got a good reputation, and you've always been nice to me when I've met you at GaryCon.

 

[EthanSental]

Hopefully the word gets out as about 221 have signed up for the launch notification.