The International Peace Arch, (sculpture).

The International Peace Arch, (sculpture).

Unknown, sculptor.

The International Peace Arch, (sculpture).

Peace Arch, (sculpture).

1920-1921. Dedicated Sept. 6, 1921.

Arch: concrete, steel; Gates: iron; Tablets: bronze.

Overall: approx. 67 x 67 x 67 ft.

(Across the face of the arch, Canadian side, engraved:) BRETHREN DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY (Across the face of the arch, United States side:) CHILDREN OF A COMMON MOTHER (Over one of the gates, carved in wood:) 1814 - OPEN ONE HUNDRED YEARS - 1914 (Over the second gate, carved in wood:) MAY THESE GATES NEVER BE CLOSED unsigned (On bronze plaque on arch:) In commemoration of the life and works of Samuel Hill (1857-1931), eminent road builder - a true Quaker - foremost in peace - always promoting world-wide unity - who ever sought to build up but never tear down.

Arch is a bipedal structure with extreme base dimensions about equal to its height. Half of the arch rests in Canada and half in the United States. On the outer wall of the United States side is a bronze tablet bearing a replica of the Mayflower; a piece of the actual ship is set in the wall beneath. On the Canadian side is a bronze tablet bearing a replica of the Beaver, the first steam-propelled vessel to navigate the Pacific. Enclosed in the wall is a relic of the Beaver. The iron gates of the Arch are turned back against the walls. Flags of both countries fly from spruce flagstaffs atop the Arch.

Allegory -- Civic -- Peace

Architecture -- Boat -- Steamer

Architecture -- Boat -- Sailing Ship

History -- Canada

History -- United States -- Treaty of Ghent

History -- Great Britain

Outdoor Sculpture -- Washington -- Blaine

Administered by State of Washington, State Parks and Recreation Commission, P.O. Box 40220, Olympia, Washington 98504

Located Peace Arch State Park, P.O. Box 87, United States - Canadian Border, Blaine, Washington 98230

The Arch lies on the 49th parallel, the border between the United States and Canada, on Interstate-5. The Arch is located in Peace Arch Park, a park in international territory, maintained jointly by Washington State and the Province of British Columbia. The park areas were completed with donations from Washington state and British Columbian school children. Contributions were limited to 10 cents per child.

Samuel Hill, president of the Pacific Highway Association, proposed construction of the Arch to commemorate the Treaty of Ghent and 100 years of peaceful relations between the United States and Canada. Credit for the original idea was given to A. E. Todd, former mayor of Victoria, B.C. and life president of the Pacific Highway Association. The Arch was built by volunteer labor from both countries. Approx. 800 cubic yards of concrete and 50 tons of steel were used in construction. A ventilation system is installed inside the Arch to control dampness. Arch was repaired and repainted in 1993.

IAS files contain copies of related material from John Tuhy's "Sam Hill: Prince of Castle Nowhere", Portland: Timberland Press, 1983, pg. 187-194; Program from the Annual Peace Arch Celebration by Canadians and Americans, June 11, 1995; and brochure from the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, "Peace Arch State Park", May 1990.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Washington survey, 1995.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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