Bicentennial Heritage Peace Garden Trail:

Bicentennial Heritage Peace Garden Trail:

                                   

The St. Marys Memory Garden
St. Marys Street and Bartlett Street

St. Marys, Georgia

 

The existing St. Marys Memory Garden (created by the St. Marys EarthKeepers in 2008) is comprised of a large, wheelchair-accessible, southern-style gazebo, a Tribute Pathway upon which members of the community inscribe “dedication” bricks, a solar-lit flagpole and a 2-acre water-front greenspace (available for parking).

It is approximately 20 feet from the ancient wall of the historic Oak Grove Cemetery (est. 1788): the final resting place of Acadians and War of 1812 soldiers.

The Welcome Center provides trolley tours to the many historic sites, including Memory Garden and Oak Grove Cemetery, while the National Park Service Museum (two blocks from the Memory Garden) offers a superb display of War of 1812 artifacts and information.

As the only access to Cumberland Island National Seashore, St. Marys is guaranteed over 300 visitors per day and the ferry docks are a mere two blocks from the Memory Garden.

___________________________________________________

St. Marys, Georgia, (first settled in the mid 16th century by the Spanish and established by act of the state legislature on December 5, 1792) is considered by many to be the crown jewel of the Intracoastal Waterway. Just north of the Florida/Georgia border, it is the only access point to the legendary Cumberland Island National Seashore. http://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm

Joseph Bachlott, (1st Lt., Scott's Detachment). Robert Deloney, (Pvt., Scott's Detachment). Thomas Hardee, John McIntosh, (Brig. General), Lt. Col. William Scott, (Scott’s Detachment) – these are but a few of the soldiers of the War of 1812 who lie within the grounds of St. Marys’ historic Oak Grove Cemetery (est. 1788).

The Battle of Fort Point Peter, located at the mouth of the St. Marys River was a successful attack by a British force on St. Marys. The battle occurred in January 1815, after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent but before the treaty's ratification. The British ended their occupation of St. Marys after looting the town, burning the fort to the ground, (including its blockhouses and barracks) and withdrawing to Cumberland Island. Archeologists have discovered a rich treasure-trove of artifacts at Point Peter – all of which are on display at the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum.

http://forgotteninvasion.com/index.html

Now, 200 years later, St. Marys, Georgia, becomes the latest member of the Binational Tourism Alliance Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail. This initiative was launched in the Niagara region and the BTA is now working to highlight the War of 1812 and a shared history of peaceful association and cooperation between Canada and the USA. The world's two largest and resource-rich superpowers have cohabited along the planet's longest undefended border for 200 years - while being staunch allies and helpmates in times of trouble. What a lovely precedent to have set. And what an uplifting thing to celebrate for that which began in turmoil and conflict ended in lasting brotherhood and peace.

http://www.stmaryswelcome.com/

St. Marys' existing Memory Garden will now become a Peace Garden. With its large and graceful southern-style gazebo, 2 acres of greenspace, harbor views, Tribute Pathway, close proximity to the War of 1812 museum and position adjacent to Oak Grove Cemetery, there can be no more fitting a place to fly the flags of The United States and Canada.

 

FROM THE BICENTINNIAL TOURISM ALLIANCE