Seeds From Anne Frank’s Tree To Be Planted At NYC 9/11 Memorial
The Sapling Project will see seeds taken from Anne Frank's chestnut tree planted in 11 locations across the United States in an effort to keep her legacy alive and promote tolerance.
34 applications were sent into the Anne Frank Center USA. Winners were chosen based on their commitment to equality and education about tolerance. A Seed from Ann Frank's Tree will be planted in New York City at the September 11th Memorial Park.
In a press release the Ann Frank Center USA said, "We chose the eleven sites because of their importance in American history and their commitment to continuing education about tolerance. The participating organizations expressed a strong understanding of and a desire to combat the horrible consequences of intolerance, racism, hatred and discrimination that destroys countries, communities and innocents like Anne Frank."
Other locations where seeds from Anne Frank's tree will be planted include, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis and an Arkansas high school known for its role in the segregation debate during the civil rights movement.
"The saplings arrived from the Netherlands in late 2009. Following a three year quarantine imposed by the U.S Department of Agriculture, during which some were cared for by The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, on January 18, 2013 all were released for planting, and will be delivered to their new homes for public dedication later this year," says the press release.
Anne Frank wrote about her favorite chestnut tree in her diary while she was in hiding from the Nazi's for 2-years. The tree stood as her only connection to nature and the outside world. Its beauty gave her hope and lifted her spirits.
"Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year," wrote Anne Frank on May 13, 1944.
Despite the severity of her circumstances Anne Frank chose to believe in the goodness of people. That is the idea the Anne Frank Center is trying to keep alive with their Sapling Project.
On July 15, 1944 Anne wrote, "It's a wonder I haven't abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
The tree Ann Frank described in her diary is no longer standing. It fell down after a bad rainstorm in August of 2010. Scientists were able to extract saplings from the tree and grow seeds to be used in this project.
Anne Frank and her family were eventually found by the Nazi's and taken to a concentration camp. Anne Frank died in March 1945, nine months after being brought to the camp. The 15-year-old died after developing typhus.