Side A: Dedicated in 1939 in a ceremony that turned the gardens over to the city, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens are a unique memorial to world peace and the celebration of cultural diversity. The Gardens date to 1916 when the Shakespeare garden was built, and are a celebration of cultural identity in the form of natural landscaping, formal architectural elements, and commemorative sculpture. Consisting of 23 individual gardens, the Gardens reflect the diversity of cultures that shaped Cleveland and the nation. The Gardens pay tribute to the many philosophers, scientists, composers, and other great thinkers who have made significant and lasting contributions to civilization. More importantly, the Gardens are symbolic of the fact that through preservation of many different traditions, beliefs, and practices, we may be better able to accept and respect one another – that we may achieve a true and lasting peace through mutual understanding.