A Brief History
Why is it called Krider World’s Fair Garden? This garden began as a display garden for Krider Nurseries at the 193334 Chicago World’s Fair, and it was there that fairgoers who visited the garden signed their names and addresses into a visitor’s book. It is from these more than 250,000 signatures and addresses that Krider Nurseries went on to become one of the largest mail order nursery businesses in the United States. After the fair closed, many of the landscaping ornaments and plants were brought back to Middlebury, Indiana, and replanted in the location of the present day Krider World’s Fair Garden Park. This garden, which was located across the street from the headquarters of the Krider Nurseries business, served for many years as a display of the plants and services that Krider Nurseries could offer to their customers. The garden also served as a favorite spot for local children and their parents to visit and enjoy the beauty of the garden. Krider Nurseries closed its doors in 1990 and donated the garden to the town of Middlebury in 1995. Now, it is a town park maintained both by the town and volunteers who love gardening and who have fond memories of the garden. Some of their stories will be shared with you in this book. We hope you will enjoy this tour through Middlebury’s Krider World’s Fair Garden and its history.
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