“There is a history in all men’s lives…”

— William Shakespeare

1895

Cedar Rapids Wednesday Shakespeare Club first meets.

1926

Women of the Wednesday Shakespeare Club partner with the city of Cedar Rapids and commit to creating a Shakespeare Garden. The city designated 1.4 acres in Ellis Park, overlooking the Cedar River.

1927

The Shakespeare Garden at Ellis Park is established. A mulberry tree, of the same species as in Shakespeare’s garden, was planted and still thrives today.

1928

Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, Ed Roan and Edwin Bruns were enlisted as project advisors, and Professor Phillip Elwood, head of Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University, was named head designer.

1929

The first gardener, William Wood, was a native of England and an expert in English-style gardens. He served as Parks Superintendent for nearly 40 years and initiated a nearly 100 year long public-private partnership with the Shakespeare Garden.

1931

The first piece of public sculpture in Cedar Rapids, a bronze bust of ‘The Bard of Avon’ was installed.

1937

A sundial, made by local artists, was installed.

1950-1971

The original thatched entrance, designed by Wood and Cone, was replaced by stone walls and columns designed by Mrs. Charles Hickok and W.J. Brown, Architect.

2008

The Cedar River crested to its highest level in Cedar Rapids history, 31.12 feet. It did significant damage to the Time Check neighborhood and the Shakespeare Garden.

2019

The Friends of Shakespeare Garden (FOSG) officially formed.

2020

The “Derecho” brought wind speeds up to 140 mph and destroyed over 70% of Cedar Rapids tree canopy — including several trees in the Shakespeare Garden.

Today

FOSG is partnered with the City of Cedar Rapids to oversee the construction of the revitalization project and a competitive bid process. This private and public partnership continues this park’s tradition of community and parks working together. Through awareness and fundraising efforts, we continue to enhance the garden’s beauty, maintain the grounds, and contribute to the local community.

“What’s past is prologue.”

In 1926 the Wednesday Shakespeare Club of Cedar Rapids, then in its 31st year, committed, in partnership with the city of Cedar Rapids, to creating a Shakespeare Garden. The city designated 1.4 acres (60,000 square feet) in Ellis Park, overlooking The Cedar River, for this purpose. The members of the club were determined to make this garden a spot of beauty, tribute, and solace for all the citizens of Cedar Rapids. To that end, they enlisted advisors Grant Wood, Marvin Cone, Ed Roan, and Edwin Bruns. Professor Phillip Elwood, head of Landscape architecture at Iowa State University was retained to design the layout in the style of Shakespeare’s own garden in Stratford, England. The first gardener, William Wood, a native of England and an expert in English style gardens, oversaw the establishment of many unique features such as the Hawthorne hedge, the long flower beds, the herb gardens, and pathways. From the beginning, there was great community support through financial and plant donations.

The Shakespeare Garden has many “firsts” in its history. A mulberry tree, of the same species as in Shakespeare’s Garden, was planted in 1927 and still thrives today. The first piece of public sculpture, a bronze bust of ‘The Bard of Avon’ was installed in 1931, followed by a sundial, made by local artists, in 1937.  The original entrance, designed and constructed by Grant Wood and Marvin Cone, was made to suggest a thatched roof shelter such as Ann Hathaway’s cottage. It was no match for Iowa’s weather and was replaced by the two stone pillars you see today. These were designed by Mrs. Charles Hickok and final drawings contributed by W.J. Brown, Architect. Stone walls, stone benches, and irrigation systems were installed and upgraded over time.

The original plantings were only ones found in the writings of Shakespeare, but changes in climate, awareness of the importance of ecologically sustainable gardens and native, pollinator plants will encourage a different approach as we move forward. The flood of 2008 and the derecho of 2020 took a great toll on the garden, but our vision of a restored garden will be one that incorporates the traditional beauty of a formal garden and the implementation of the best practices of current research. The garden has been the site of weddings, family gatherings, dance recitals, concerts, and family photographs. It has offered, and still does, offer a spot of tranquility to those who discover it. Our city can be proud of this little gem; it is unique in Iowa and one of a few remaining in our nation.