Wells Japanese Gardens, Newberry, South Carolina

 

“The Japanese garden is a very important tool in Japanese architectural design because, not only is a garden traditionally included in any house design, the garden itself also reflects a deeper set of cultural meanings and traditions. Whereas the English garden seeks to make only an aesthetic impression, the Japanese garden is both aesthetic and reflective. The most basic element of any Japanese garden design comes from the realization that every detail has a significant value.”

E. J. W. Barber

When planning our trip to Newberry, South Carolina, I noticed they listed a Japanese Garden in town to see. I’ve always enjoyed seeing the beauty and simplicity of Japanese Gardens so we decided to check this one out. This is a small triangle shaped garden plot that is locate on Lindsay Street behind the City Hall and is open daily. This park was once a part of a larger family plot that had a home that sat on Harrington Street.

This little hidden gem in this wonderful historic town was created in 1930 by W. Fulmer Wells, an architecture graduate. He got his inspiration from the Japanese Tea Garden at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco while he was there in California studying architecture. Henry B. Wells Sr, the father of W. Fulmer Wells, helped to implement the plans.

This garden is an excellent example of historic Japan with its Moon Bridge, Tea House, Temple, Japanese style Torri Gate, stone lantern, two ponds, and exotic plants including Lotus, Japanese Iris, Water Lilies, Crepe Myrtle, and Cypress. This is a peaceful park that makes you feel serene. Many items in this park were made using local materials. The post holding up the Tea House were once used in the Newberry Opera House to hold up the old balcony before it was renovated in the 1930’s.

During WWII, they had to close this park for a while because of vandalism since it was a Japanese style garden. The garden was donated to the city of Newberry in 1971 and is now under the care of the Newberry Council of Garden Clubs who are also restoring the park.

In 2012, the City of Newberry along with the Senior Curator of the Presidential Service Museum accepted a gift of a Matsu (pine) tree from C. J. Mongiello. He had lived in Japan for many years and remembered the visit from President George W. Bush and Ulysses S. Grant who each planted a tree in Tokyo at the famous Zojaji Temple. The Kamatsu Corp also donated a sizable donation to help with the additions to the garden and to help with maintenance also in 2012.

This park is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. This is lovely, serene park that is a wonderful quiet retreat to be seen and enjoyed. If you are in Newberry, it is another interesting place to visit.

Till next time. Bye for now.