Finding aid for the Phoenix Peace Fountain Records


Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Phoenix Peace Fountain
Title: Phoenix Peace Fountain Records
Dates: 1993-2003
Extent: 0.20 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: The Phoenix Peace Fountain (2002) was created by Michael Whitely, president and chief executive officer of Inspirational Media International (f. 1998) located in Painesville, Ohio. This company specializes in resolving conflict and nurturing positive relationships using educational programs and other means. As a result, Inspirational Media International was approached and asked to design cross-community initiatives accenting the similarities between the Catholic and Protestant communities, after the signing of the Peace Accord in Northern Ireland in 1998. Whitely conceived the idea of a Phoenix Peace Fountain, built from weapons collected by the police forces in Ohio, that today stands in Northern Ireland as a symbol of peace and hope for the future. Individuals and organizations throughout the United States contributed to this project in donating their time, efforts and products needed for this fountain to become a reality. The Fountain was a gift from the communities of the United States to the communities of Northern Ireland and is on permanent view in Anderson Park, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. It serves to illustrate a lasting reminder to the people of Northern Ireland of America's support in the Northern Ireland peace process. Over four hundred individuals and organizations in the United States were involved in the making of this eight-ton, twelve-foot stainless steel fountain. Thousands of weapons seized by law enforcement agencies throughout America, were used in the making of this monument. The use of these weapons symbolizes the end of violence. The design of the fountain is based on the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, in Northern Ireland, and it names the 26 councils that signed the Peace Accord, May 22, 1998. The top of the monument features a phoenix on a nest of rifles, symbolizing the story of how this bird was reborn from its own ashes, and gives a promise of a new beginning. The fountain was shipped to Northern Ireland courtesy of Air France and was unveiled on July 4, 2002. The collection consists of consist of a brochure, a calendar, newspaper clippings and a pamphlet.
MS Number MS 4887
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

History of the Phoenix Peace Fountain

The Phoenix Peace Fountain (2002) was created by Michael Whitely, president and chief executive officer of Inspirational Media International (f. 1998) located in Painesville, Ohio. This company specializes in resolving conflict and nurturing positive relationships using educational programs and other means. As a result, Inspirational Media International was approached and asked to design cross-community initiatives accenting the similarities between the Catholic and Protestant communities, after the signing of the Peace Accord in Northern Ireland, in 1998. Whitely conceived the idea of a Phoenix Peace Fountain, built from weapons collected by the police forces in Ohio, that today stands in Northern Ireland as a symbol of peace and hope for the future. Individuals and organizations throughout the United States contributed to this project in donating their time, efforts, and products needed for this fountain to become a reality. The Fountain was a gift from the communities of the United States to the communities of Northern Ireland and is on permanent view in Anderson Park, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. It serves to illustrate a lasting reminder to the people of Northern Ireland of America's support in the Northern Ireland peace process. Over four hundred individuals and organizations in the United States were involved in the making of this eight-ton, twelve-foot stainless steel fountain. Thousands of weapons seized by law enforcement agencies throughout America, were used in the making of this monument. The use of these weapons symbolizes the end of violence. The design of the fountain is based on the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, in Northern Ireland, and it names the 26 councils that signed the Peace Accord, May 22, 1998. The top of the monument features a phoenix on a nest of rifles, symbolizing the story of how this bird was reborn from its own ashes, and gives a promise of a new beginning. The fountain was shipped to Northern Ireland courtesy of Air France and was unveiled on July 4, 2002.


Scope and Content

The Phoenix Peace Fountain Records, 1993-2003, consist of a brochure, a calendar, newspaper clippings and a pamphlet.

This collection is of value to researchers studying Irish American history in northeast Ohio. It will be of interest to those seeking information regarding the Irish American and American contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Those seeking information about the Phoenix Peace Fountain, its inception, and significance will find this collection useful. This collection also contains data regarding Inspirational Media International, the company who conceived the idea of the Phoenix Peace Fountain and describes other ways in which it strives to contribute to peace in Northern Ireland.


Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically by document type, and then chronologically.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Separated Material

A videocassette, The Phoenix Peace Fountain, 2002, has been removed to the film collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Inspirational Media International.
Irish Americans -- Archives.
Irish Americans -- Politics and government.
Northern Ireland -- History -- 1994-
Northern Ireland -- Politics and government -- 1994-
Northern Ireland Community Cooperation Initiative.
Phoenix Peace Fountain.
Reconciliation.
Whitely, Michael.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4887 Phoenix Peace Fountain Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Michael Whitely, 2003

Processing Information

Processed by Regina Costello in 2003

Detailed Description of The Collection

Phoenix Peace Fountain Records 1993-2003 undated

Box Folder
1 1 Brochure, The Phoenix Peace Fountain 2002
1 2 Calendar, outlining the history of The Phoenix Peace Fountain 2003
1 3 Newspaper clippings, The Leitrim Observer Ltd.; Ireland Leitrim News; The Plain Dealer; The News-Herald; The News Herald; The Chronicle; Star Beacon, ; The Mail; Record Courier, unidentified Northern Ireland newspaper clipping (photocopies) 1993-2003 undated
1 4 Newspaper clippings, various, The NICCI (Northern Ireland Community Cooperation Initiative), photocopies undated
1 5 Pamphlet, The Northern Ireland Community Cooperation Initiative, photocopy undated