The Foster House Herb garden was created in 2005 and based on what a “Yankee” woman might have grown in her garden in New York state c. 1840-1860, before migrating to Wisconsin. At that time, gardens were a combination of the Colonial (formal) and New Nation (natural) styles. In 1860s Wisconsin, flower gardens containing lilacs and roses were popular.
For many families throughout the country,“working gardens” were necessary for food and medicinal purposes, sometimes taking up the whole front yard. Our Herb Garden is divided into sections, according to the herbs’ use – cooking, medicinal, tea, salad – with sections divided by stone paths. It includes a heritage climbing rose, bench, and a cutting garden along a picket fence.