"Peace Pole" Dedication by the Rotary Club of Morganton
A peace pole is a monument that displays the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth". The idea originated in 1955 by Masahisa Goi, from Japan. Hundreds of thousands have been placed around the world, in almost 200 countries. They are made of many materials including wood, limestone, copper, plastic or stainless steel.
It was Rotary District 7670’s goal to plant such peace poles in Western North Carolina throughout 2024-25. The Rotary Club of Morganton accepted the challenge and club member Scott Brooks, a woodworking hobbyist, stepped up to create the pole. Scott selected a heart pine beam from the Burke Arts Council’s theater renovation. He carved the Rotary seal as well as the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” on four sides: one side in English and the other sides in languages spoken most frequently in Morganton - Hmong, Spanish, and Aquateco - a Mayan language spoken in Guatemala.
The Rotary Club of Morganton’s peace pole is now planted in the front yard of Burke Arts Council and was unveiled at a dedication ceremony during the Third Thursday Art Crawl on June 19, 2025.
