on location: midwest ❖ alyssa cherwak
Floral flags mirror the spirit of friendship between the U.S. and Canada.
International
Peace Garden
Straddling the american-canadian border, this group-friendly attraction fits well into a two-nation vacation n the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and Manitoba lies the International Peace Garden, a unique attraction dedicated to the peace and friendship between two countries. Embodying beauty and serenity, the botanical garden spans over 2,300 acres and draws thousands of tourists every year. Constructed and dedicated in 1932, the International Peace Garden is a representation of unity and peace between the United States and Canada. A monument, constructed from native stone,
Ren Davis/North Dakota Tourism Division
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24 June 2011
was placed on the American-Canadian border as a symbol of this friendship with an engraving that reads, “To God in His Glory…We two nations dedicate this garden and pledge ourselves that as long as men shall live we will not take up arms against one another.” Half of the garden is in North Dakota, half in Manitoba. The cascade panel, a narrow channel of water, flows through the center, dividing the garden in two. Each side can be identified by a floral display of its country’s flag. The
American and Canadian flags are the only two floral displays in the garden that remain the same every year. One of the garden’s more popular attractions is the floral clock. In 1966, a duplicate of the Bulova Floral Clock in Berne, Switzerland was received from the Bulova Watch Co. In 2005, it was replaced with a clock from St. Louis. Each spring a new flower arrangement is planted around the 18-foot-wide clock; sometimes up to 5,000 plants are displayed. LeisureGroupTravel.com
IPG Photo
The Formal Garden area with its abundance of flowers and fountains is a visitor favorite. It contains the sunken garden, an octagon-shaped pool with a center fountain and smaller square fountains on either side with a stone garden house. Recently added, the Interpretive Center and Conservatory provides visitors with a vivid display of the history of the International Peace Garden. It features a tribute to the men of the Civilian Conservation Corps who built and planted the garden from 1934 to 1941. The Carillon Bell Tower, a focal point in the garden, was built in 1976 and dedicated to war veterans. Inside the tower is the Arma Sifton bell, a set of 14 chimes that were a gift from Central United Church. The bell was originally a donation to the Central United Church in Brandon, Manitoba from two sons of Lady Arma Sifton. The bell echoes throughout the garden every 15 minutes. In summer of 2002, 10 steel girders were brought to the garden from the New York World Trade Center. They were used to build a September 11th memorial in remembrance of those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks against the United States. The Peace Chapel, the only IPG building located on the border, is built with limestone that has been engraved
Girders from the World Trade Center dominate the garden’s 9/11 Memorial.
IPG Photo
with quotes from “people of peace.” The chapel is non-denominational and open to everyone. At the far end of the garden is the Peace Tower, comprised of four columns representing four corners of the world uniting. Two of the columns stand in Canada and two in America. They reach 120 feet in the air, symbolizing early immigrants’ high ambitions. The garden has seven peace poles that were donated in 1997 by the Japanese government. The poles are handcrafted obelisks engraved with the phrase “may peace prevail on earth” in 28 different languages. A unique exhibit at the garden is the Vitko Collection of cacti, which contains over 6,000 types of cacti and succulents. They are located in a new climate-controlled conservatory that cost $5.1 million. Johannes Olwage, a South African botanist appointed curator of the conservatory, takes care of the plants and gives tours of the exhibit. Throughout the garden are hiking and biking trails. Accommodations for tour groups include group rates and a group menu at the cafe. The International Peace Garden hosts several annual events. The Old Time Fiddlers ConFountains grace the color-splashed Formal Garden. test in June has been des-
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ignated an American Bus Association (ABA) Top 100 Event. Some of the best fiddlers around gather at the Burdick Center for the Arts at IPG to compete; each contestant must play a hoedown, a waltz and a song of their choice. In August, IPG hosts the “FAME” Summer Festival (Fun, Art, Music, Entertainment) with the International Antique Classic and Shine car show featuring musical performers and artists. Also in August is the Metis Festival, “where the fiddle and mountain unite.” This three-day event is centered on fiddling, jigging and dancing. A representation of peace and friendship, the International Peace Garden is one of North Dakota’s special places. Its symbolism and natural beauty make this botanical wonderland an ideal group attraction along the American-Canadian border. For more information, contact the International Peace Garden at 701-2634390; peacegarden.com. LGT Obtain North Dakota visitor guides and itineraries – and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
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Ft. Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan
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