Lexington Historical Society operates three historical house museums that welcome about 20,000 visitors each year. In addition, we offer many programs and events to members of the community. The activities we engage in each year allow us the wonderful opportunity of working with other local nonprofits.
One of our long-time partners is the Lexington Field and Garden Club. While we pride ourselves on being one of the oldest organizations in town (founded in 1886), the Lexington Field and Garden Club beat us by ten years! Every year, members of the Garden Club generously care for our two gardens. The one at Munroe Tavern features beautiful flowers that would have been in an 18th century garden, and the one at the Hancock-Clarke House features herbs used for culinary purposes, medicinal purposes, and for dyes. The Munroe Tavern garden, chaired by Kris Burton, is tended to on Tuesdays throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The Morning Study Group, a sub-group of the Lexington Field and Garden Club, has maintained the Hancock-Clarke herb garden since 1934—even before the house was moved back to its original location! Barbara Mix and Harriet Hathaway are the current stewards of the herb garden. In addition to maintaining our gardens, the Garden Club collaborated with us this past December to host Holiday Gifts and Greens at the Depot. The event featured stunning centerpieces and decor made by Garden Club members, and we look forward to working with the club again for the 2018 holidays. When you’re visiting our museums this coming season, I encourage you to spend some time in the gardens. If you happen to see members of the Lexington Field and Garden Club working, ask them some questions about the flowers, herbs, and the roles the plants played in colonial life! You’ll find that the gardens not only adorn our house museums, but are museums in and of themselves. For more information on the Lexington Field and Garden Club, visit their website or their Facebook page. -Erica Dumont, Executive Director
1 Comment
Richard Thorne
4/14/2018 05:55:37 pm
One of the interesting visits by one of the Lexington elementary schools to the H-C House is joined with the garden in front The class must identify why the garden is in 3 parts, which part is for what purpose and what are the herbs? The class is not allowed to look at the tags and they do a wonderful job in the identification. I do not know which school but it is fun to watch the kids being really involved! Leave a Reply. |
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