Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Peace Plaza progress

The first of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens was established in 1916 making the Gardens over 100 years old. The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) is the non-profit volunteer-led group that governs the Gardens. They decided to honor the centennial by making a gift to the community in the form of the Centennial Peace Plaza.

The motto of the CCGF is "Peace through Mutual Understanding" and the Plaza is designed to be a gathering place for the community to share music, dance, art, education, camaraderie and share ethnic heritages.

The multi-ton medallion is just a few feet away from the much-traveled MLK Boulevard so will be a focal point of the Plaza.

Video tour and photos of the Plaza

Mexican Cultural Garden Committee approved

On January 20, 2020 the newly formed Comite Mexicano de Cleveland presented their plans for a Mexican Cultural Garden to the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation.

See more from the Mexican Cultural Garden group

Mexican Cultural Garden Committee

University Circle’s Chris Ronayne – Cultural Gardens time capsule

Chris Ronayne leads both University Circle Inc. and the Holden Parks Trust.  He spoke at a ceremony after the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation ended their Centennial Year by burying a time capsule at the Kiosk of the Gardens on MLK Blvd.

The time capsule has information and artifacts about the Gardens and also Cleveland in 2016.  (Go Cavs, Go Tribe)  It will be opened in 25 years in 2041.

 After placing the time capsule they gathered at the Rockefeller Greenhouse to cut a cake celebrating the Centennial of the Gardens.  Chris spoke of the importance of the Gardens and the partnership.

More of the Cultural Gardens time capsule

Happy 100th Birthday after Cleveland Cultural Gardens Time Capsule

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation ended their Centennial Year by burying a time capsule at the Kiosk of the Gardens on MLK Blvd. The time capsule has information and artifacts about the Gardens and also Cleveland in 2016.  (Go Cavs, Go Tribe)

It will be opened in 25 years in 2041.

After placing the time capsule they gathered at the Rockefeller Greenhouse to cut a cake celebrating the Centennial of the Gardens.

 Past president Paul Burik and current president Sheila Crawford spoke and the crowd sang happy birthday.


More on Cultural Gardens time capsule 

Time Capsule buried in Cleveland Cultural Gardens

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation ended their Centennial Year by burying a time capsule at the Kiosk of the Gardens on MLK Blvd.

The time capsule has information and artifacts about the Gardens and also Cleveland in 2016.  (Go Cavs, Go Tribe)  It will be opened in 25 years in 2041.

 Paul Burik was the main person behind the time capsule project.

Time Capsule in Cleveland Cultural Gardens

University Circle’s Chris Ronayne keynote at Gardens Gala - 4

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  This is the conclusion (part 4) of the keynote speech by Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc.

University Circle’s Chris Ronayne keynote at Gardens Gala - 3

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  This is part 3 of the keynote speech by Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc

University Circle’s Chris Ronayne keynote at Gardens Gala - 2

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  This is part 2 of the keynote speech by Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc.   and Chris presents a check to CCGF president Sheila Crawford.

Senator Sherrod Brown and Cleveland Cultural Gardens

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  US Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent this video message to show his support for the Gardens on their 100th anniversary and for their message of ‘Peace through Mutual Understanding.’

Senator Rob Portman and Cleveland Cultural Gardens

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  US Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) sent this video message to show his support for the Gardens on their 100th anniversary and for their message of ‘Peace through Mutual Understanding.’

University Circle’s Chris Ronayne keynote at Gardens Gala - 1

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  This is part 1 of the keynote speech by Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc.

Dick Russ introduces keynote speaker Chris Ronayne

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  A packed house of 325 watched Master of Ceremonies Dick Russ introduce keynote speaker Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th Gala – Dan Hanson

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)

CCGF Executive Board member Dan Hanson presented some of the proclamations received including from Mayor Frank Jackson, State Senator Tom Patton and Governor John Kasich.  He then showed video tributes from Senator Rob Portman and Senator Sherrod Brown.  Then a special letter from President Barack Obama from the White House was read and displayed.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th Gala - Dignitaries

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  CCGF Sheila Murphy Crawford introduced Master of Ceremonies Dick Russ who acknowledged some of the dignitaries in attendance such as Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Consul of Ireland from Chicago Orla McBreen.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th – Rev Caviness

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  A packed house of 325 watched Master of Ceremonies Dick Russ introduce Pastor Caviness for the invocation.  Since 1961, Reverend Emmitt Theophilus Caviness has served as Pastor of Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Toast to Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.) CCGF Sheila Murphy Crawford called up the CCGF Executive Board and asked the audience to join them in a toast to the 100th anniversary of the gardens – in their native language.

 

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th – Sheila Crawford

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  CCGF Sheila Murphy Crawford welcomed the crowd and gave some updates on the Gardens.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th – Ken Kovach anthem

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  A packed house of 325 watched Master of Ceremonies Dick Russ introduce Ken Kovach who led the National Anthem.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens 100th - Dick Russ welcome

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation (CCGF) hosted a gala event at the Intercontinental Hotel to celebrate the Centennial of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The first Garden was established in April 1916.)  A packed house of 325 watched Master of Ceremonies Dick Russ welcome the crowd and tell his own personal stories about growing up near the Gardens.

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Plaza plans

Landscape architect James McKnight presented plans for the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Centennial Plaza at a Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation board meeting on March 8, 2016.

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