Knowing Your Garden

A mini exhibit about garden history and plant knowledge.

This exhibit explores the development of gardening in America, beginning with the 1607 settlement of Jamestown. Early colonists introduced foreign seeds and learned gardening techniques from Indigenous peoples, blending native crops like corn and beans with European plants. Prominent figures like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson helped popularize gardening across the colonies.

Distinguishing gardening from farming, the exhibit highlights gardening’s personal, aesthetic nature compared to agriculture’s large-scale, profit-driven goals. Learn about the Iroquois technique of intercropping, where corn, beans, and squash grew together for mutual benefit.

Explore the science of plant growth, including soil composition, acidity, and the role of sunlight. Discover key historical figures, such as Bernard Palissy and Antoine Lavoisier, whose contributions shaped modern gardening practices, and how these discoveries continue to influence the way we grow plants today.

Upcoming events