Architectural Features of the University of South Dakota Shakespeare Garden

The Shakespeare Garden, located in front of the Pardee-Estee Laboratories building at the University of South Dakota (USD), originally featured every flower, herb, and shrub mentioned in Shakespeare’s works, everything from columbine to wormwood. The USD Emeritus Club dedicated the Shakespeare Garden on April 23 (Shakespeare’s observed birthday), 1988. Over time, the original plants were replaced because they were not suited to the harsh climatic conditions.

Importantly, the garden features several architectural structures. Original structures include a fountain/bird bath donated by the USD class of 1924 and a sundial, donated by the family of English professor E. C. Ehrensperger. In 1990 Martin Wanserski, (Associate Professor of Art), constructed a three-quarter-size bronze figure of Shakespeare that is a fixture in the south end of the garden.

Brick columns created by master mason Bob Hanson form the bases for the iron arch with the garden’s name “Shakespeare Garden” created by Mike Marsh located to the entrance of the Shakespeare Garden.  Four additional brick columns constructed by Hanson mark the four edges of the garden.

Iron fences at the south end of the garden composed of stylized vines and flowers constructed by Mike Marsh surround the Shakespeare statue. Iron initials “MM” and the date 2000 are incorporated into the design. In 2002 Marsh created fences on the north end of the garden that flank the entrance. His last name “Marsh” and the date are part of an iron spider’s web.

The four brick columns at the edges of the garden each contain a plaque denoting the founders of the garden: Dr. Wayne W. Gutzman, Carroll Cowell, Dr. Marjorie Beaty, and Dr. W. O. Farber. On the west side column of the entrance is a plaque citing the significant role the Emeritus Club played to develop the garden. A prominent plaque at the east side column near the entrance to the garden honors Dr. Raphael Block, Professor of English, Shakespeare teacher and scholar.

In 2007 Dr. Wayne Knutson, President of the Emeritus Club and former Dean of Fine Arts delineated the timeline of the construction of the park and the individuals responsible for its development as part of a speech for the Shakespeare Garden Festival.¹ The unique architectural elements that comprise the Shakespeare Garden remain a prominent part of the University of South Dakota campus.

Undated photograph depicting Dr. Farber, Dr. Beaty, Carroll Colwell, Dr. Raphael Block, and Dr. Wayne Gutzman standing behind the water fountain/bird bath. USD Archives and Special Collections, USD Photograph Collection.

A recent photograph of the iron arch that frames the north entrance to the garden.

¹Knutson, Wayne. The Shakespeare Garden at the University of South Dakota. Speech given at Shakespeare Garden Festival, October 18, 2007. College of Arts and Sciences, English Department Collection, Box 1, USD Archives and Special Collections, The University of South Dakota.