International World War Peace Tree
Encyclopedia
The International World War Peace Tree is a linden tree
on the southwestern edge of Darmstadt, Indiana
serving as a reminder of Germany's armistice
with the United States
.
, as it was called at the time the tree was planted. The tree is 40 feet tall and is at least years old.
The sign in front of the tree is frequently adorned with small American flags, particularly around patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day
, Independence Day
, and Veterans Day
.
. It was brought to the United States
in 1912 as a seedling
by Joseph Freudenburg, prior to World War I. When the treaty with Germany was signed in 1918, a picnic was held on the property of his sister-in-law Mrs. Wortman, and during the picnic, Freudenburg's tree was transplanted to its current location at the intersection of St. Joseph and Orchard in celebration of the end of what was then called the War to End All Wars (now known as World War I). The planting and dedication of this tree by German American
immigrants served as a sign of their loyalty to America and also to build local community harmony.
Freudenburg mounted a flagpole near the tree, but the flagpole has since been removed, although its cement base remains. The garden of flowers that once adorned the tree has also disappeared.
The tree has been maintained since its arrival in America by the same family:
Tilia
Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The greatest species diversity is found in Asia, and the genus also occurs in Europe and eastern North America, but not western North America...
on the southwestern edge of Darmstadt, Indiana
Darmstadt, Indiana
Darmstadt is a small, German-heritage town in Scott Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, United States. It also extends slightly into Armstrong, Center and German townships. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census...
serving as a reminder of Germany's armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Description
The tree stands on the northwest corner of St. Joseph Avenue and Orchard Road, surrounded by cornfields. Its relative isolation from the nearby forests makes it easy to identify. In front of the tree is a wooden sign reading, "International World War Peace Tree - Nov. 11, 1918". The date marks the end of the War to End All WarsWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as it was called at the time the tree was planted. The tree is 40 feet tall and is at least years old.
The sign in front of the tree is frequently adorned with small American flags, particularly around patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
, Independence Day
Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
, and Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
.
History
The tree has its origins in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It was brought to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1912 as a seedling
Seedling
thumb|Monocot and dicot seedlingsA seedling is a young plant sporophyte developing out of a plant embryo from a seed. Seedling development starts with germination of the seed. A typical young seedling consists of three main parts: the radicle , the hypocotyl , and the cotyledons...
by Joseph Freudenburg, prior to World War I. When the treaty with Germany was signed in 1918, a picnic was held on the property of his sister-in-law Mrs. Wortman, and during the picnic, Freudenburg's tree was transplanted to its current location at the intersection of St. Joseph and Orchard in celebration of the end of what was then called the War to End All Wars (now known as World War I). The planting and dedication of this tree by German American
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
immigrants served as a sign of their loyalty to America and also to build local community harmony.
Freudenburg mounted a flagpole near the tree, but the flagpole has since been removed, although its cement base remains. The garden of flowers that once adorned the tree has also disappeared.
The tree has been maintained since its arrival in America by the same family:
- 1912 or earlier - 1918: Joseph Freudenburg
- 1918 - ?: Son of Mrs. Wortman (nephew of Joseph Freudenburg)
- ? - 1988: Clarence Wortman, his son
- 1988–present: Charles Skeels, husband of Clarence's daughter Beth.