The memorial was inaugurated on a hilltop just south of Gentofte on 28 August 1783. The 100 years anniversary for the agricultural reforms at Bernstorff Palace was celebrated on 20 June 1866. It was listed in 1918.
Description
The inscription
The Neoclassical memorial is executed in Norwegian marble and stands on a granite plinth. It features reliefs representing the harvest and a plaque inscription:
Æreminde efter Døden / for / Johan Hartvig Ernst / Greve af Bernstorff / som gav / udskiftede :::hovningsfrie arvelige /Gaarde / med dem Stræbsomhed Velstand alt / til Mønster for Efterslægten / :::MDCCLXVII / oprettet / af Godsets takfulde Beboere MDCCLXXXIII.
Publication
Møller, N: Kort Beskrivelse over Forfatningen paa Godset Bernstorff for og efter Fælledskabets Ophævelse og Eiendoms Meddelelse, med Forklaring over den af Bønderne oprettede Obelisk, Copenhagen1783.