The British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square

In late 2002, Society member Camilla Hellman approached the Executive Committee of the St. George’s Society and proposed the idea of a garden – a garden that would be a gift to the city honoring the 67 British victims of the World Trade Center disaster whilst also showing the strength and unity of two nations that have gone through so much together. In 2003 the British Memorial Garden Trust, Inc., was established and subsequently recognized as an independent 501 (c) (3) entity by the Internal Revenue Service. On March 10, 2004 the British Memorial Garden Trust received final approval from the City of New York and the Arts Commission for the creation of a garden in historic Hanover Square. Construction of the garden is now underway.

The garden is intended as both a living memorial and as a place of solitude, comfort and reflection; a truly British garden drawing from the many wonderful elements of the historic gardens of Britain. It will be a gift to the people of New York, a place for the community to enjoy and experience the tradition of friendship that links the two nations.

The garden will also offer a place for the British community to hold annual Remembrance Day observances, and reflect upon recent events and shared tragedies.

Following a juried competition, prestigious British landscape architects Julian and Isabel Bannerman were awarded the commission to design the garden and are finalising plans. Renowned British artist Anish Kapoor won the competition to create a sculpture to Unity that will anchor the park.

Further information about the Garden, and the key role that St. George's Society continues to play in its development, can be found at www.britishmemorialgarden.org