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Verse: "Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year", or your custom verse
Historical notes on back of card: "The Public Garden was established in 1837 when philanthropist Horace Gray petitioned for the use of the land as the first public botanical garden in the United States. Construction began quickly on the property, with the lake being finished that year and the wrought iron fence surrounding the perimeter erected in 1862. Today the north side of the lake has a small island, but it originally was a peninsula, connected to the land. The site became so popular with lovers that the John Galvin, the city forester, decided to sever the connection with the land.
The twenty-four acre landscape, which was once a salt marsh, was designed by George V. Meacham. The paths and flower beds were laid out by the city engineer, James Slade and the forester, John Galvin. The plan for the garden included a number of fountains and statues. The first statue erected was that of Edward Everett by William Wetmore Story in November 1867 on the north part of the Garden near Beacon Street. The bronze statue of George Washington by Thomas Ball which dominates the west side of the park was dedicated on 3 July 1869. The signature suspension bridge over the middle of the lake was erected in 1867." |
