A STEP BACK IN TIME: A JOURNEY TO A DAY IN COLONIAL LIVING PRESENTED BY THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF GLASTONBURY
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 05/21/2017
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Spring is here and it’s time to plan the kitchen garden
Where: Welles-Shipman-Ward House
972 Main Street, South Glastonbury, CT
When: Sunday, May 21, 2017
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: $5 per person, free to members of the Historical Society of Glastonbury
On Sunday, May 21st, the place to be is the Kitchen Garden at the Welles-Shipman-Ward River Valley mansion. The Historical Society of Glastonbury is teaming up with the Glastonbury Garden Club and Glastonbury Partners in Planting to present an educational event centered on two of our gardens; a backdoor herb garden and kitchen garden.
As we travel back to colonial times, we are reminded that the colonial housewives were the main caregivers of the family. The backyard garden was the “medicine cabinet” to provide relief for the vast majority of the family’s illnesses, and to provide the herbs needed for cooking. You couldn’t just go to the supermarket to pick up produce; you had to grow it yourself. The Glastonbury Garden Club will be in the herb garden answering questions about the different plants and herbs, some of which are probably in your garden today.
Glastonbury Partners in Planting will also be onsite demonstrating how to plant an organic garden. Organic gardens were the only option at that time. These folks had one up on us: Many of the most troublesome insects we wage war on in our gardens today are not native, and in the 18th century were not existent because they hadn't yet arrived in America. Their chemical arsenals included lime water, tobacco dust, chimney ashes, and manure tea. Watch and learn, or better yet, bring your gardening gloves and have fun! This is a great opportunity to have your kids learn about gardening. Children of all ages are welcome to help plant seeds and then can bring home their own lettuce plant to nurture and grow.
Join us for the afternoon of Sunday, May 21st from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m at the Welles-Shipman-Ward House, 972 Main Street (Route 17), South Glastonbury. Learn about colonial gardens, ask advice, and dig in the dirt, if you wish. As an added treat, Mrs. Jerusha Welles will be cooking in the fireplace, one of the largest colonial fireplaces in the state, using seasonal period recipes. Samples will be available. $5 admission per person includes food samples, and entrance and tour of the Welles-Shipman-Ward house, property, shed and barns. Admission is free for Historical Society of Glastonbury members.
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