A piece of history was installed at the Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park.  We are pleased to announce the installation of two lions at the entrance of the terrace.

These lions have travelled though Montgomery over the past fifty years.  A historical marker will be installed that reads ” In Memory of John Hall Haardt (1901- 1971) This gift of this majestic pair of life size iron lions by Anton Haardt and Haardt Moses to The Montgomery Botanical Gardens . The Lions were cast by the Robert Wood Foundry circa 1860, and guarded the Haardt home at 44 S Haardt Drive for more than 50 years. The Lions previously stood at Morning View, the estate of General Mitchell B. Houghton in Capitol Heights. John Haardt was well known for his real estate entrepreneurial endeavors, antique collecting, and his great love of Montgomery. He was active in civic organizations, and served as President of the Montgomery Rotary Club.”

We would like to thank the Haardt Family for this generous donation and the many people that helped with the restoration and installation of these beautiful additions.  Board members Ethel Dozier Boykin and Fairlie Rinehart spearheaded this project.

A special thank you to Robinson Iron Works for repairing and securing the lions in the garden.

Thank you to Ethel Dozier Boykin, Mary Helen and Ken Mahan, Fairlie Rinehart and Dr. Tyna Davis for their leadership at the Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park.

If you would like to see the Montgomery Botanical Gardens at Oak Park continue to grow, please consider a membership or a donation.