In the formal gardens, the four pillars of the peace tower are the focal point in the distance.
S
traddling the borders between Manitoba and North Dakota in the mythic Turtle Mountains is the Interna- tional Peace Garden, the only garden in the world occu-
pying two countries. It has symbolized the lasting friendship between Canada and
the United States since it opened on July 14, 1932. What a day that was! Over 75,000 people attended the open-
ing event. This number is something of a miracle, consider- ing how sparsely populated both Manitoba and North Dakota were then. Cars were parked across the hills as far as the eye could see as people came from miles around to celebrate the day. There were mass choirs and bands from Manitoba and North Dakota. A fleet of airplanes took visitors on aerial tours to view the 2,332 acres of land devoted to the garden. Pledges came from 31 non-profit organizations in Canada
and the U.S. to carpet the garden with trees and flowers. Hearts were filled with friendship and goodwill as expressed by the boundary marker, a cairn built of stones gathered in both countries. It reads:
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
This day of celebration was the culmination of an idea
put forward by Ontario’s Dr. Henry Moore at a horticulture meeting in Greenwich, Conn. in 1928. Two years later, he brought the concept forward to the U.S. National Association
localgardener.net Original plans for the International Peace Garden. Fall 2016 • 35
A huge crowd gathered for the ceremony dedicating the International Peace Garden on July 14, 1932.
Photos courtesy of the International Peace Garden unless otherwise noted.
Garden plan courtesy of the International Peace Garden.
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