PEACE GARDEN
At the Annual Meeting of the International Association of Gardeners held in
Toronto in October, 1929, Mr. Henry J. Ivfoore, in his presidential address, proposed
to the outstanding horticulturists and gardeners of the North American continent
that there should be a living memorial to commemorate the century of peace that has
existed between Canada and the United States. He suggested that it take the form of
a garden somev/ here along the International boundary. His unique proposal fired the
imagination of his hearers and they pledged themselves to promote its interests. Thus
the International Peace Garden, Incorporated, was organized and an international
committee formed. Mr. Moore was one of a committee of three chosen to choose a site.
From among the many sites viewed by the committee, that of the Turtle Mountains,
between Manitoba and North Dakota, was selected. It is only a few miles from the
geographical center of the North American Continent. Its scenic beauty is difficult
to surpass. Wild Life abounds there, and it is situated on the Canada to Panama
highway, said to be the longest north to south highway in the world.
The Manitoba lands comprising the Peace Garden were given by the Manitoba Government
and those in Dakota were purchased by the State and presented. The entire
plot of 2,200 acres, 1,300 in Canada and 900 in the United States, is now under the
control of the International Peace Garden, Incorporated.
On July lit., 1932 thousands of people from both nations witnessed and took part
in the dedication ceremony. It was a typical New World event, with many nationalities
and creeds represented. The great gathering of £ 0,000 people read aloud, in unison,
the inscription on the cairn which was unveiled. On a bronze plaque on the cairn is
inscribed the following: " To God in His glory we two nations dedicate this garden
and pledge ourselves that as long as man shall live we will not take up arms against
one another".
Ivhat would it mean if £ 0,000 citizens of all border nations would voluntarilly
gather at their borders and declare before God that they would substitute flowers
for fortifications and instruments of death? It is this feature of the garden which
makes it a symbol of International Friendship and gives to it world significance.
It was unfortunate that the depression years fallowed so closely upon the formal
opening of the garden, brought restrictions on development. However the unites States
government provided a CCC camp to develop the garden, and several hundred men were
engaged in activities on the American side throughout that period. Sheltered
picnic conveniences were erected and roads and scenic bridges were built* The
coming of World War II again was a barrier to development. Annual meetings were
held, however, and plans laid for extensive operations to begin at the earliest
possible moment. The time for this has now definitely arrived, and work was again
begun in 1914- 7 •
That the International Peace Garden is destined to become a shrine to international
friendship and goodwill is shown by excerpts from the official reports. Holland,
Mexico, Australia and Scotland have signified their wish to participate in this unique
undertaking, as well as numerous national organizations.
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A- garden'is a lovely, : growing thiag,. just as peace is'a. vital, expanding fo'rcc> jshich
must" bo. nurtured and cared for. Peace does not exist of its own accord, but through
a conscious effort to develop and maintain understanding and tolerance. This garden
to be a real International Peace Garden must be in the hearts and minds of all people.
Members must contribute to its creation and maintenance, they must visit it and
remember always why it has been established.
