A large white planter installed in Gilkey Square to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary is drawing mixed reactions in La Conner, with some residents likening the structure to a dumpster for its size and shape.

The Ann Washington Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution built and donated the white box, which was hand painted with variations of the organization’s logo and name, as well as the words “America 250!”

The Town Council approved the gift following the Parks Commission’s recommendation earlier this year. The local chapter also donated and planted a Liberty Tree in Maple Park in February.

At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Don Pendleton, a La Conner resident, expressed concern at the DAR’s racist past.

For example, in 1939, the organization barred Black people from performing at its auditorium for years, and later denounced the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as left-wing and anti-Christian, among other controversies.

Today, the National Society DAR identifies as a non-political organization that encourages diverse membership and reaffirms its condemnation of racism and other forms of discrimination.

“Bias, prejudice and intolerance have no place in the DAR or America,” the DAR states on its website.

Pendleton asked the council to consider removing the box or to request the Ann Washington chapter to erase the DAR’s name from the display, arguing that it may be offensive to Black community members and visitors. If the council decided to keep the planter and the name, he suggested recognizing the wooden structure as a space where people could attach their own posters and signs to express their point of view, thus conveying that the organization “does not have a monopoly on that pot,” he said. Finally, he asked for the council to set a removal date as the display is only temporary.

“It’s in a public space, and I think it’s inappropriate and offensive,” he said.

Mayor Marna Hanneman acknowledged the DAR’s past controversies, but said what matters now is where the organization stands currently, and where it’s headed. Echoing this opinion, Councilmember Ivan Carlson said he would have an issue with the planter if the discrimination had taken place more recently instead of during a time when racism was the norm.

Town Attorney Scott Thomas said concerns like Pendleton’s came about only after the planter was installed, and that removing the organization’s name could be a violation of free speech. At this point, he said, it’s best to move on.

“Regardless of whether or not the town or anybody else for that matter agrees or disagrees, I just don’t think it’s appropriate to censor that speech now,” he said.

Hanneman was of a similar opinion.

“I don’t think that (the DAR is) saying ‘Come join us, come be a part of us,’” she said. “I don’t think it’s advertising. I think it’s just acknowledging that they were the ones that put the planter there.”

Kim Kimmy, regent of the Ann Washington chapter, told La Conner Community News that the intent of the planter is simply to promote the nation’s semiquincentennial in a way that is visible “and hopefully appreciated” by passersby on the land and the Swinomish Channel.

In response to the criticism about the planter’s look, which some have shared on social media, Kimmy said not everyone can be pleased all the time. However, she expects people will change their minds once a new set of red, white and blue flowers will be planted to form the number “250.”

Those flowers were originally planned for May, but since the America 250 co-chair — who had been in talks with the Parks Commission — had to leave for a long trip overseas, Kimmy explained the big pot was installed early and before the optimal planting time, with no flowers.

Initially, the planter was only filled with dirt, with placeholder flowers being transplanted later on. Tuesday, the council agreed to ask for the “250” floral arrangement to be postponed to a later date that is closer to Independence Day to allow the community to enjoy the current blooms.

The council also agreed to set a removal date for the planter and to conduct a more thorough vetting approval process to address concerns before proposals are given the greenlight, acknowledging that the pot was given final approval despite some confusion about its exact measurements.

Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.