Brick Academy, 15 W. Oak St., Basking Ridge, NJ
Admission: $15 cash at door.

Kitchen gardens in the 1700s fed, healed, and clothed Early American families.  The 18th century “huswife” skill set included “physicke,’ cookery, distillation perfumery, the making of wool, hemp flax, dayries, brewing, baking,” and, of course – gardening.  Growing plants, both Native American and from their homelands, these women turned their soup pots into the “melting pot” that is America.

Speaker

Garden historian and writer, Lesley Parness, has worked in public gardens in America and abroad for the past four decades.  She is a popular speaker throughout the mid-Atlantic region, offering illustrated lectures and hands-on workshops to garden clubs, historic societies, Master Gardeners, public garden professionals, libraries, and institutions with rare book collections of horticultural merit.  As Superintendent of Horticultural Education at the Morris County Park Commission, Lesley oversaw education, programming and interpretation at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Willowwood Arboretum, and the Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center for fifteen years.  Lesley is a columnist for Gardener News Magazine, and featured writer in many print and online gardening publications.

Upon her retirement, Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen presented Lesley with an American flag which had flown over the United States Capitol in honor of her achievements in Public Horticulture.

Reviews

The Real Housewives Program was an inspiring glimpse into history.  The beautiful pictures combined with Lesley’s unique teaching style made me want historical plants and appreciate all these women did to take care of their families.  I look forward to visiting many of the garden sites Lesley recommended.
Melissa Almendinger – Community Garden Manager, Duke Farms