The Baton Rouge Unit of the Herb Society of America plans to build a historic herbal garden at the Burden Museum and Gardens through its Herb Day fundraiser on March 4 at the Burden Botanic Gardens.
According to a document provided by the Herb Society, the historic herbal garden will have four sections, which will include Louisiana culinary herbs, herbs used by Native Americans and African Americans, herbs used by early settlers in the area and a natural garden. Vice Chair of the Herb Society Mary Williams said the first section, funded by the Herb Society, has already been completed.
“We gave Burden $10,000 three years ago to get this started,” Williams said. “That’s just the first part of what will be four parts.”
In total, the Herb Society has fundraised over $12,000 for herb garden, but Williams said the garden needs more funds for completion. She estimated the total cost for the herb garden to be $40,000.
Situated between a hospital and a nursing home, Williams said this garden will be not only historical but also therapeutic. The garden will be wheelchair accessible so all visitors can come. The document provided by the Herb Society said the garden will be used to promote spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional well-being. The herbal garden is supposed to help people with dementia to recall memories, according to the document.
“People should know how important this garden will be for this community,” Williams said. “It’s really of historic importance because we are going to be honoring the ethnic groups that make [Louisiana] such a unique place.”
Williams said the Herb Society has worked to paint signs and weigh, bag and label herbs. They have received donations that will be used as prizes in the raffle on Herb Day. Herb Day will have other events including herbal classes for visitors and garden tours. There will also be herbs and jambalaya for sale. The event will also feature a plant version of a “petting zoo” for children.
“Children are always told to keep their hands off things when they go out with their parents,” Williams said. “We’re going to have a petting zoo for plants. Kids and grownups will be welcomed to touch these plants, smell these plants and taste these plants to get to know them.”
Williams said there will be an herbal naturalist present at Herb Day as well as the Capital Area Native Plant Society. The Baton Rouge Magnet High School Band will also be performing at the event, she said.
The Herb Society of America is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The Baton Rouge chapter, along with fundraising for this herb garden, also holds meetings with guest speakers so members can learn more about herbs.
