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Lisburn's special relationship
with the Garden City
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UNTIL relatively recently few people on this side of the
Atlantic were aware of the special connection between Lisburn
and the famous Garden City in Long Island, New York. The connection was founded some 130 years ago thanks to
Alexander Turney Stewart, who was born and brought up" in
Lisburn and eventually went on to become one of America's most
successful businessmen. Stewart's success came after he i m p o r t e d Lisburn's
world-renowned linen to the United States and created the
world's first department store in the heart of New
York. Later in life Stewart went on to found Garden City in 1869, an
affluent area just a short distance from the bustling heart of
New York. In an effort to cement Lisburn's links with Garden City,
Lisburn's Mayor, Councillor Jim Dillon, and the director of
Lisburn Institute, Dr. Alister McReynolds, visited New York
earlier this month. Both were guest speakers at Garden City Chamber of
Commerce's finale luncheon. They also participated in several
events including the Belmont Festival, the running of the
Belmont Stakes and the Chamber and Historical Society's annual
garden party. Lisburn City Council is determined to strengthen
links with Garden City. The council is investigating twinning
possibilities and plans to erect a head and shoulders bust of
Alexander Stewart at the Island Civic Centre. Life
During his speech in Garden City, Dr. McReynolds chartered
Stewart's early life following his birth in Lissue in 1801.
Stewart's father died when he was an infant and he was brought
up
by his uncle. After emigrating to New York he came into money
through the family farm at Lissue Road and he returned to the
area to collect it. Upon returning to New York he set up his own business in
drapery and clothing and established the first department
store in the world. The store was described as being more like
a 'palace' and Stewart's reputation grew worldwide.
Despite his enormous successes, Lisburn was never far from the
merchant's mind. The outbreak of the American Civil War meant
supplies of cotton from the American confederate states were
cut off from Europe. The impact on the Maze, Broomhedge and Lissue areas was
greater than anywhere else in Europe. When Stewart heard of
the crisis he sent two shiploads of food to Belfast. The grain
was sold and the money used to feed the people of Magheragall
and Lissue. Up to 110 people from the area were also transported to New
York and given jobs and money. Mr. Dillon marvelled at Stewart's generosity. "What strikes me
most about this man is his sense of community spirit and his
mutual respect for both his birthplace and his adoptive home.
He never
forgot where he came from as well as embracing his new life in
America," he said. It was later in life that Stewart bought the area of land in
Long Island that was, to become Garden City. The design of
what became a `utopian living environment' was founded during
the first 17 years of Stewart's life. Stewart always had a close association with the James
Richardson family who later designed Quaker towns including
Bessbrook in South Armagh in 1845. In Bessbrook large squares were built around with a butcher's
shop, a dairy, a dispensary, educational facilities, a savings
bank, a village hall and several churches. Stewart had maintained his close links with the Richardsons
and the experimental concept used to design Bessbrook and
other villages in the 1800's was used in New York's Garden
City. The area was further distinguished by the construction of a
beautiful cathedral and school in Stewart's memory by his
wife. Mr. Dillon and Dr. McReynolds are delighted with the links
that have been established and there seems little doubt that
they will be strengthened in the near future. Mr. Dillon wants to see
bi-annual visits to the respective areas and student exchanges
are being organised for 2003 between colleges in Garden City
and Lisburn Institute and the University of Ulster. "They were very nice people and they extended more than a hand
of friendship to us," added Mr. Dillon. The Mayor predicted a
twinning arrangement would lead to 'real benefits' for both
Lisburn and Garden City. Dr. McReynolds also wants to ensure more people become aware
of the special links between the two places. "They know more
about Lisburn than we do about them and that's something we
want, to change. I think in places like Lisburn people are
starting to become more aware of their cultural heritage and
of people who have achieved great things." Mr. Dillon is certainly sure of one thing - both Lisburn and
Garden City owe a huge debt of gratitude to Alexander Stewart.
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