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In early 2002 I began my affiliation with the Old Fort House Museum , which is operated by the Fort
Edward Historical Association. I was asked to help with a long term plan for the museum grounds and campus. I am a part
time staff member-Botanical Historian and Ecologist. My work there has resulted in several new gardens and the renovation
of some older ones. In just 3 years the growth of the gardens has surpassed my expectations. There has also been
a tremendous increase in the bird populations on the campus that come for the seeds, fruits and nesting sites-something that
helps me sleep better at night.
The Doctors Apothecary Garden-"A
living exhibit to educate and enlighten people of all ages about the importance of self sufficiency and the intimate connection
of earlier peoples to the lands they inhabited"
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| The Doctors Apothecary Garden |
The Old Fort House Museum- Native Americans lived in the area now known as Fort
Edward as far back as 8000 years ago. Their name for the locale was Wachaloosencuchaleva, which means the "Great Carrying
Place" referring to the need for canoe portage between many local waterways such as Little Wood Creek and the Hudson River.
Fort Edward itself was an important French and Indian war fortification constructed of wood near the current site of
the Anvil Inn restaurant.
The Old Fort House was Constructed in 1772 as a private residence for Patrick
Smyth. The Old Fort House is one of the oldest frame structures in upstate New York and a focal point of a 3-acre
museum campus. Built with timbers taken from the ruins of Fort Edward, the house was used as headquarters for both British
and American generals in the Revolutionary War. In July 1783 General George Washington
and his party dined at the house on two different occasions.
Dr. John Cochran, George Washington's Personal
surgeon owned the structure at one time and other local Physicians played a prominent role in preserving the structure as
a museum. The Doctors Apothecary Garden is named so in their honor.
In 2002 , Museum Education Director Sandra
Spaulding and myself were able to obtain grant funding from the NY Council for the Humanities for the gardens construction.
The garden, of mostly native plants, has signs detailing the uses of these plants by both
Native and Colonial peoples. Many Physicians would have maintained such a garden in rural areas to supply the medicinal
needs of their patients. The garden has generated lots of interest from both children and adult visitors since its inception.
For more information contact the Fort Edward Historical Association at 518-747-9600
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| Another view of the Apothecary Garden |
The Millworkers Garden is our newest project. Funds for the garden were donated by a private
benefactor. The garden is intended to show the self sufficiency that was crucial to the survival of millworkers and laborers
in the era before unions and fair labor practices. The garden will contain fruit bearing trees and shrubs as well as vegetables
and flowers. The Victorian style glasshouse is representative of the advent of mass production which enabled even the
common man to own formerly unaffordable items.
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| The new millworkers garden (under construction) |
In 2004 , the Lakeville Baptist Church in Cossayuna, NY donated a "3 seater" outhouse to the museum
to complement the Riverside Schoolhouse building and exhibit.
This provided a whimsical opportunity to plant a Privy garden with fragrant and large leaved
plants such as hollyhocks, delphiniums, plumepoppy and wild senna.
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| The old "3 seater" in its new home |
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