The Heritage Garden celebrates the devotion of gardeners from the Indiana and university communities. Plants in the garden reflect plants typical of the period of IUP’s origin as Indiana Normal School in 1875.
Dedicated in 2011, the Heritage Garden is in front of the Northern Suites residence hall and is maintained by members of the Evergreen Garden Club. The garden landscaping includes benches for studying and relaxing, a fountain, and a plaque recognizing the Evergreen Garden Club and its efforts in maintaining the garden.
The name Heritage Garden was chosen by the Evergreen Garden Club, and plants for the garden were chosen to reflect plants typical of the period of IUP’s origin as Indiana Normal School in 1875.
The Heritage Garden replaced the Touch and Smell Garden, which was razed during construction of the Northern Suites. The Touch and Smell Garden had its beginnings in 1979 with the founding of the Evergreen Garden Club. It was formally dedicated in 1984.
Before the establishment of the Touch and Smell Garden, the university had the Shakespeare Garden, which included plants cited in Shakespeare's writings. It was dedicated in 1954 and was maintained by volunteers from the Indiana Garden Club until the early 1970s.