"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."

-- Albert Schweitzer

About
The Memorial Grove Project was conceived in 2006 under the design philosophy, "The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not plan to sit," a quote from Nelson Henderson. Situated outside the Mellon House on Hôpital Albert Schweitzer's campus, the grove is a collection of pathways and roundabouts, which lead to several places for calm, quiet reflection. Each of the pathways -- what is really one long, circuitous route -- leads to several moments where visitors are confronted with memories of the past, and visions of the future, all in one beautiful dream of the present. It is, first and foremost, a place to house the collective memories of those for whom Haiti has played a special part in their lives. A gently graded, circular wall is home to a growing collection of plaques, with the names of individuals who have gone before us. These are the people who, in many different ways, secured the foundations of Hôpital Albert Schweitzser, and helped continue its work both in Haiti and from afar.

Yet this place stands for more than the individuals whose names appear on the elegant, though humble stone walls. The grove is home to several "historic trees" of Haiti--native species, which have grown scares in this increasingly deforested landscape. Through these plantings, visitors of the grove are not only introduced to a collective vision of Haiti's lush, tropical beginnings, but they might also become aware that this plot is also a living dream for Haiti's future. Nestled throughout the grove are recognitions of the importance of composting, soil augmentation, and natural water retention and use.

Visitors of the grove may find refuge in this quiet circuit. Walking along the rocky pathways, they may reflect on the past, as they continually encounter optimistic and tangible visions for the future. Their own present moment, their personal histories, and the histories of all those memorialized in the grove, will become merged with the collective hopes and dreams of a people that will never be forgotten -- so long as Hôpital Albert Schweitzer exists.

Welcome to the Memorial Grove. It is a place that many of us will never see in our lifetimes. However, the place truly questions the notion of the memorialized moment. A memorial may be an instantaneous reflection that can take place anywhere in the world. For those who are able to visit this place, this moment is facilitated through meandering pathways, and a shady place to sit. For those who are too far to enjoy this retreat on a daily basis, this moment comes from the knowledge that such a place exists, and will continue to exist and grow, for years to come.