Colonial Homestead Garden

As part of the America’s 250 Celebration, the Garden at South Park’s Pioneer Village will be restored as an Educational Colonial Garden. Colonial gardens had significant social and economic impacts, shaping the lives of individuals and communities in the early American colonies. These gardens were more than just practical tools for survival; they were foundational to the social fabric and economic resilience of the early colonies, leaving a lasting legacy of resourcefulness and interdependence. This Garden restoration project is made possible from a grant from the Malabar Farm Foundation and Volunteers from R.E.A.C.H.

Colonial gardens were vital to homesteads during the Revolutionary War period, serving as essential sources of food, fiber, and medicine. With disrupted supply lines and a limited number of trained doctors, colonists relied on their gardens to support soldiers and civilians alike. Medicinal herbs, such as chamomile, mint, licorice, and lavender, were key remedies for ailments like jaundice, respiratory illnesses, and wounds. Colonists also turned to wild plants like black cohosh and sarsaparilla, while adopting Native American knowledge of the medicinal uses of numerous native species. These gardens not only sustained the population but also embodied the resourcefulness and resilience of homesteaders during challenging times. Their legacy persists as a reminder of the historical interplay between survival and nature.