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International
Friendship Gardens has deep roots. Once home of
the Pottawattamie Indians, it was the place where Fr. Pierre
Marquette blessed a spring which still exists. Near the West
entrance, Jean Baptiste Du Sable, the first resident of
Chicago, lived and traded with the Indians.
Fast forward to
the 1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair “A Century of Progress
International Exposition.” Still in the throes of the Great
Depression, the Fair was future oriented with science as its
theme. It was a mixture of carnival, science exhibits, famous
personages, and beautiful gardens strewn along the Lake
Michigan coastline between 12th St. and 39th St.
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Tucked in this
array of attractions was a small garden originally dubbed ‘An
Old Mill Garden.’ It was developed by the three Stauffer
brothers, Virgil, Joe, and Clarence from Waukarusa, Indiana,
who had a nursery in Hammond, Indiana. The garden
concept was changed to become the International Friendship
Gardens.
It was while
visiting the Chicago World’s Fair that Dr. and Mrs. Frank
Warren of Michigan City, one hour drive East of Chicago,
developers of Pottawattamie Park and Warren Clinic, were so
impressed with the garden and theme, Peace and Friendship To
All Nations, that they made an offer |
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Virgil
Stauffer |
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of a site near
their home if the brothers would consent to make an
International Friendship Garden. |
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The brothers
were a gifted trio who grew up on a farm. Virgil was an opera
singer; Joe, and Engineer, and Clarence was a banker,
developer, and inventor. They accepted the offer to come to
Michigan City.
In 1936,
International Friendship Gardens opened to the public.
Consisting of fourteen ethnic gardens, the Symphony Theater,
the unique Theater of Nations built on an island with natural
seating for an audience on an adjacent hillside and scene of
ballet, drama, and concerts brought thousands each week to
enjoy “ music under the stars. “ |
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Clarence Stauffer |
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Queen Wilhelmina
of the Netherlands donated 200,000 tulips. The King of England
sent plants and a Royal Gardener to make an English Garden.
The King of Persia sent roses for the first Rose Garden. Other
governments responded with seeds, plants, and statuary. A
Peace Bell ended its travel to each State following WW !!, and
other bells donated locally can be seen or heard on the
grounds. The mission of the International Friendship Gardens
struck a responsive chord in the world as well as in local
leaders. No wonder kings and presidents have visited the
gardens.
In its hey-day,
which was 1945 to the early ‘60’s, the 106 acre s constituted
an unsurpassed visual treat with Trail Creek winding through
it and Lake Lucerne, with the island Theater of Nations, and
its many floral and arboreal displays as well as its varied
terrain.
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Virgil and Joe
died in 1956. Their sister, Sadie Ehret assumed the operations
of the Gardens until her death in the early ’60’s. Clarence
and his wife, Frances, returned and continued the brother’s
dream. Mrs. Jean Houck, amateur horticulturist, came in
1970 and became assistant to Clarence. Little did she know the
important role she would play in the history of International
Friendship Gardens. Suffice it to say that the Gardens became
her passion.
In 1986, Clarence
died at the age of 100. He asked Jean and her husband,
Richard, to continue the gardens and restore them.
By then, the gardens were neglected and overgrown, and
in a sad state of decline. It was through the
determination of Mrs. Houck, a lively, |
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Clarence Stouffer Headstone |
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energetic lady
that a Board of Directors was formed and the Gardens attracted
volunteers who shared her passion to keep the Gardens open to
the public. Mrs. Houck was indefatigable in reaching for
community support even utilizing prison crews. It was in the
mid-nineties that the Board of Directors who shared Mrs.
Houck’s zeal, made a crucial decision to restore the Gardens
to their original beauty. This was a huge commitment and
undertaking to develop a site considered by many residents
second only to the lakeshore in importance. In 1995, the
Gardens became a public non-profit organization
Although Mrs.
Houck had to retire due to health reasons, she still maintains
an alert interest in all Garden events and is an active
Director Emerita.
Buoyed by
successful efforts of an all-volunteer operation, a major
moment occurred on Aug. 5,2000, when a twelve-year Master Plan
was unveiled to the public. Under then President Barry
Criswell the focus changed from restoration to development.
Following Mrs.
Houk’s retirement, a young mother of two children, Mrs. Tammy
Steinhagen, became an unpaid Executive Director. She brought
high energy and devotion to the Gardens from mowing lawns to
planning programs. She left in 2005. She assisted in bringing
the Gardens into a new era, but not without great trauma,
which was overcome. In 2002, the Gardens suffered two major
arsons destroying the Alaskan Cabin, which contained
historical works and statuary, and the Service Administration
Building, burning all tools and much machinery.
The decision was
made to go forward. This new era saw the dredging of Lake
Lucerne, the development of a modern parking lot, a new
Service Administration Building, and a new Greeter’s Cabin
with indoor toilets. From nine weddings per season it now
averages twenty-three. More musical and artistic events are
planned including Annual Garden Tea and Turkey Walk on
Thanksgiving Day, live turkey and Pilgrim as greeters. Three
more gardens – Scottish, Greek, and German – are being
developed.
International
Friendship Gardens is proud of its achievements and its
serene, botanical beauty, and welcomes visitors from all
nations to see what we are doing. |
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