International Forest of Friendship
International Forest of Friendship
Location: In Atchison, turn on to Patriot Street from US Hwy 73 and follow the well marked route. This turn-off is about 1/4 mile South of the Jct. of US Hwys 73 and 59. The turn-off is well marked.
Town: Atchison
Contact: ph.
913/367-2427
Here,
on the same rolling hills of Northeast Kansas that Amelia Earhart
knew as a child, an International Forest of Friendship now grows.
Trees from all 50 states and over 40 countries are rooted in the rich soil.
Near the center of the forest is a life-size statue of the famed aviator and
Atchinson native. Started in 1976, the forest is a joint project of the
City of Atchinson and the 99's, an international group of women pilots of whom
Earhart was the first president. A cement walk winds among the trees, and
embedded in the walk are plaques honoring men and women who have contributed to
aviation in one way or another. Every June, new honorees are added
following selection by the 99's.
The
tree at left is special in that as a seed it was carried to the
moon aboard Apollo 14. It is now known as the "Moon Tree". At it's
base is a stone with the inscription "To the Stars Through Difficulties...", and
ringed around the tree are ten other stones bearing the names of astronauts who
have given their lives in our exploration of space.
The
forest is a peaceful place, open daylight hours. Trees are
planted here in hopes that peace will take root and spread it's branches over
our troubled world.
Near
the International Forest of Friendship is the Amelia Earhart
landscape sculpture. Though best viewed from the air, you can get a pretty
good look from the observation platform which is on a marked side road just
before you reach the forest. The different colors are achieved by the
different plants and stones that make up the living work of art. It was
created by Kansas artist Stan Herd in 1997 to mark the 100th anniversary of
Amelia Earhart's birth and is about 1 acre in size.