Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Shakespeare Garden/Ann Hathaway Cottage
1927
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 2017
1. Shakespeare Garden/Ann Hathaway Cottage Marker
Shakespeare Garden
Modeled after Shakespeare Garden near Stratford-upon-Avon, England over 150 varieties of flowers, trees and shrubs. Only garden of its kind in South Dakota.
Ann Hathaway Cottage
This home was styled after the original Ann Hathaway Cottage at the William Shakespeare home in England.
Visitors Welcome
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list.
Location. 44° 5.064′ N, 98° 34.522′ W. Marker is in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in Jerauld County. It is on 6th St N 0.1 miles north of 4th St. NW, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wessington Springs SD 57382, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Dakota’s Yankton Sioux Tribe, in East River, and specifically in the James River Valley. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Shakespeare Garden (here, next to this marker); Methodist Episcopal Church of Wessington Springs (approx. 0.4 miles away); Opera House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stratton Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Legion Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Legion Hill (approx. 0.4 miles away); How Man Effects The Environment (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wessington Springs.
Also see . . . South Dakota SP Shakespeare Garden and Shay House - National Archives Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination Form (1979):
"The Shakespeare Garden and Shay House are significant for two reasons: the formal garden is the only known example of this type in the state. Few planned gardens of the nineteenth century are(Submitted on January 6, 2025.)still evident in the state, and a twentieth century example is even more rare. The combination of plantings with picturesque furnishings is especially pleasant and unique in this climate. Second, the house provides a good example of a pseudo sixteenth-century Tudor cottage. The dwelling illustrates the carry-over of medieval styles in architecture that became popular in this country during the first half of the twentieth century, translated into a very particular and personal site.Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 20172. Shakespeare Garden
Both the structure and garden are a result of Mrs. Emma Shay's affection for Shakespeare and his times. Mrs. Shay's idea for the garden came from the National Shakespeare Association and from her visit to England in 1926. The garden project began one year later, and the Shay house came about two years later; this dwelling is a partial replica of 'Shottery,' Anne Hathaway's house."
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 2017
3. Ann Hathaway Cottage
Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 9, 2017
4. Ann Hathaway Cottage National Historic Marker (To the left of the door.)
Placed on the
National Register
Of Historic Places
By the United States
Department of the Interior
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 330 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
