HISTORY

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens, which wind their way through Rockefeller Park, began on 14 April 1916 when community leaders from around the city joined together to plant a garden. This first garden was planted to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. Other gardens were to follow. In 1939, this chain of gardens was dedicated, as a whole. This idyllic setting was created as a cultural park along Rockefeller Park Boulevard now known as MLK Boulevard and East Boulevard.
Its ornate walkways, stonework, formal garden settings, sculptures, fountains, bridges and cultural heritage made it the ideal place for a peaceful walk or a slow drive.

After years of decline and misuse the gardens are beginning to experience a renaissance as ethnic communities throughout northeast Ohio gather again to restore their gardens to their original grandeur. These gardens are unique in the world. Each nationality raised money for their respective garden, built the garden and presented it to the City of Cleveland, which then accepted the responsibility for perpetual
maintenance. Efforts are under way by the various groups and the City of Cleveland to preserve this unique, national, and historical treasure for future generations. In 1996, the Park celebrated its Centennial while the city celebrated its Bicentennial.

The Slovenian Cultural Garden, itself, is located between Martin Luther King Boulevard and East Boulevard, slightly south of St. Clair Avenue. It was originally dedicated as the Jugoslav Garden on 4 December 1932 and was formally opened on 15 May 1938. The terraced garden consisted of three levels. The first level contained the fountain which was surrounded by a flagstone rotunda with two smaller garden areas making up the second level and providing additional statuary niches and stone benches. Two curved stone stairways lead down to a third level surrounded by a paved court and massive trees forming a natural amphitheatre.

The Yugoslav Cultural Garden Club was the custodian of the garden for many years. Then in 1954, the club was dissolved and its officers asked the American Slovene Club to take over the sponsorship of the garden. The American Slovene Club is a Slovenian Women's Group whose purpose is the perpetuation of Slovenian culture, heritage, history, and education, They took over representing the Yugoslav Garden in
The Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation by sending representatives to monthly meetings, taking responsibility of membership dues to the Federation, had members active on the Board of the Federation, sponsored "One World Day" festivities, arranged for Slovenian organizations to perform at various Cultural Garden affairs and promoted the Cultural Gardens as a whole.

In 1991, Slovenia was recognized as an independent democratic country when it seceded from Jugoslavia. The American Slovene Club then became the major force which worked to have the Yugoslav Garden name changed. With the approval of the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation, the City of Cleveland, and the American Slovene Club, this garden was renamed the Slovenian Cultural Garden by city ordinance on 21 June 1995. Plans began almost immediately to form a Slovenian Cultural Garden Association to take over the sponsorship of the Slovenian Cultural Garden.

On 19 October 1995, at the invitation of the American Slovene Club, a joint meeting of Slovenian civic and cultural organizations was held at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair, to discuss the future of the garden. This group met again on 30 November 1995 at St. Mary's Church in Collinwood and formed the Slovenian Cultural Garden Association Steering Committee. At the Committee's October 1996 general meeting, members elected a board of Directors and Officers for the The Slovenian Cultural Garden Association. In the summer of 1997, the American Slovene Club transferred their sponsorship of the garden to the Association. The Association was formed as a charitable, cultural and educational nonprofit
organization. It is dedicated to the ; restoration, development, growth, improvement, beautification and, maintenance of the Slovenian Cultural Garden in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens of Rockefeller Park. The Association also hopes to promote and encourage educational activities and interest in the Slovenian culture and heritage and to perpetuate a spirit of friendship among peoples of all nationalities.

FUTURE

Donations and volunteers provide much hope for the success of this great endeavor. Restoration, development, and preservation are the benchmarks for the garden's future. The Association has outlined a four-phase plan to meet the needs of the garden; (1) the infrastructure and architecture, (2) landscaping and botanical plantings, (3) monuments and commemorative busts, and (4) maintenance, programming and cultural events.

The garden's infrastructure and the architecture is being analyzed. The original garden design has been threatened with the deteriorating condition of the garden walls, sandstone structural elements and plumbing system. With funding from the Holden Parks Trust and the City of Cleveland major stone repair on the back wall and stairs was undertaken during the summer of 1997. However, there is still stonework to be done and the fountain still needs to be repaired.

Plans are being made to restore the garden to its former beauty, by retaining its integrity, while creating a new garden to showcase the Slovenian cultural heritage and artistic accomplishments. While incorporating many of the modern plant varieties, new plantings include the use of decorative trees, shrubbery, and beds of perennials along with attractive ground covers. A new Linden tree was planted on 8 November 1997 to commemorate the visit of Mihaela Logar, the Secretary of State for Slovenians Living
Abroad. She visited as a representative of the Slovenian Government, to present the Slovenian Cultural Garden Association with a significant gift towards the restoration of the garden. The original monuments and commemorative busts were designed as an artistic tribute in recognition of prominent Slovenians who have contributed to the cultural history of Slovenians and Slovenian-Americans in the arts, literature, sciences or humanitarian pursuits. The lower portion of the garden forms a natural amphitheatre and was named in honour of Anton Grdina, a local Slovenian leader, active in the early years of the gardens.

The bust of Bishop Frederick Baraga, the "Apostle of the Chippewas", was originally dedicated in September of 1935. Busts of Ivan Cankar, an immortal poet, and Simon Gregorcic, a priest and poet were dedicated in 1944. The bust of Ivan Zorman, composer and poet, was dedicated after WWII. The Association hopes to have these busts recast and replaced in the garden.. Additional individuals and their
accomplishments will be recognized by monuments dedicated in their honour. The SCGA will serve as the leader in the preservation of the physical well being of the garden as well as the many activities taking place throughout the gardens. Events which have brought life to the gardens include "One World Day" celebrations each September and walking tours of the gardens planned for the late Spring, Summer, and
Autumn of each year. In addition, the SCGA hopes to plan Spring cleanups and educational programming.

It is up to each Slovenian-American to support the efforts of the SCGA. Each adult and child can help make the future of the Slovenian Cultural Garden come into full bloom and preserve the cultural heritage of all nationality peoples in Greater Cleveland. The Slovenian Cultural Garden Association is looking for members, volunteers, and donors of materials, in kind services, and monetary gifts to help with this historic project.

Become a part of the effort, join with us, today!