The Star Garden

In celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States of America, 1976 Bicentennial Committees were organized throughout the United States and Cache Valley. The Richmond Bicentennial Committee was organized as early as Jan 12, 1976, with Roland William Anderson and his wife, Alice Christena Nuffer, as Co-Committee Chairmen.1

In 1976, a section of land in the Richmond City Park was designated for the formation of a garden for the U.S.'s anniversary. Roland William Anderson and Alice Christena Nuffer, members of the Bicentennial Committee, were in charge of the project.

The Star Garden was designed by Brent Q. Mecham. The Richmond Ward Aaronic Priesthood donated the flag pole, constructed by LaMar Carlson. The garden was dedicated after a Church meeting on June 27, 1976 by Amos W. Bair. It was anticipated that the Aaronic Priesthood members would care for the garden, but it soon fell into the hands of the Richmond Landies Club.2

The message of the garden has been forgotten by most, and in 2024, the flagpole and benches were removed from the garden.

1. (June 24, 1976). Bicentennial Garden. The Herald Journal. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Utah Digital Newspapers. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29982299&q=Amos+Bair&sort=rel&year_start=1976&year_end=1976&facet_paper="Logan+Herald+Journal"

2. (Nov 4, 1976). Richmond changes zoning and sets building moratorium. The Herald Journal. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott Library, Utah Digital Newspapers. https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29986970&q=Bicentennial+Committee+Richmond&sort=rel&year_start=1976&year_end=1976&facet_paper="Logan+Herald+Journal"