| The Garden Gnome is not just another yard | | | | helping out with things. It is believed that |
| figurine. It has it's own distinguished | | | | having one in your garden will be helpful in |
| history, culture and controversy attached to | | | | the day-to-day activities that are necessary |
| it. Before you buy a Garden Gnome for your | | | | to proper garden management. It is believed |
| home be sure to know all of the factors that | | | | that they have an excellent ability to be |
| go along with it. | | | | able to reflect on history and an even better |
| | | | perspective on the future. |
| For starters the history of the Garden Gnome | | | | |
| dates back to Germany in the 1800's. The | | | | Not all people have such a jovial perception |
| original statues were made out of clay and | | | | of the Garden Gnome. There are some that |
| were hand crafted. They then made their way | | | | disagree with the use of the Garden Gnome. |
| to England in the mid 1800s. Around the late | | | | They believe that to have a Garden Gnome in |
| 1800's to the 1900's they made their way into | | | | the home is slavery and that the Garden Gnome |
| America. During WWII production of these | | | | should be freed. There are groups that will |
| figurines came to an abrupt halt. The German | | | | take a Garden Gnome from a yard if they see |
| factories were commandeered and converted to | | | | it. Relocating it to the forest where they |
| support the war efforts. In 1960's the gnomes | | | | believe they find their freedom. A few of the |
| picked up popularity again however, they were | | | | groups choose to operate under the raidar, |
| mass-produced using plastic. Because so many | | | | sneaking into people's yards and stealing |
| of them were produced they gained the stigma | | | | these figurines. There is a political group |
| for being a tacky lawn ornament. The clay | | | | that actively lobbies for the ban of Garden |
| hand carved Garden Gnomes have been family | | | | Gnome slavery. |
| heirlooms for many families. The Clay | | | | |
| figurines are making a come back of sorts, | | | | Whether you are a follower of the Garden |
| more companies are reviving the old | | | | Gnome culture or just someone who thinks they |
| tradition. | | | | are cut enough to go in your yard these |
| | | | figurines have a lot of history behind them |
| Any Garden Gnome enthusiast will tell you | | | | and can be a wonderful addition to your yard. |
| that Garden Gnomes are wonderful creatures | | | | Just be sure to keep them away from the gnome |
| that are very good luck to have in your | | | | liberators if you would like to keep them for |
| garden. They are primarily vegetarians, | | | | a long period of time. |
| joyful little people who enjoy having fun and | | | | |