Preserving our Botanical Heritage, will feature historical gardening topics as well as contemporary ecologically sound gardening techniques based on historical methods.  On Saturday, April 4th from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., workshop participants will learn about this country’s botanical, agricultural and horticultural heritage and how it can be applied to historic garden preservation and modern gardening practices today.   This year’s presenters include Charlotte (Chuck) Tancin, Librarian, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University; J. Dean Norton, Director of Horticulture, Mount Vernon Estates and Gardens, the Home of George Washington; Doug Oster, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's “Backyard Gardener” Columnist; and Dean Sylvester, Historic Horticulturist at Old Economy Village. 

This workshop is approved as an advanced training program and qualifies Master Gardeners for updated training hours.  Attendees will have the opportunity to have their specific questions addressed during discussion opportunities and question and answer sessions with the presenters.  A tour of Economy’s Ornamental Gardens by the Historic Horticulturist will follow the program.  Unique plants, garden materials and tools will be available for purchase in the Garden Market.  Lunch is included in the registration fee; $65 for Friends of Old Economy Village Members; $75 for non-members; a discounted rate of $70.00 is available to non-members registering by March 3rd.   Space is limited.  For more information or to register for the workshop, call (724) 266-4500, x101 or c-evoss@state.pa.us.  Pre-registration and prepayment is required by March 27th.   

The Harmony Society was known worldwide for its success in what we would today call “agri-business.”  While agri-business is not usually thought of in historical terms, it was indeed a concern for production farmers, including plantation owners like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as well as communal groups such as the Shakers and the Harmony Society.     

Agri-business in 18th and 19th century America drew upon the experiences of intrepid botanists and natural scientists and their notes and publications.  Dr. Tancin’s presentation Treasures of Garden History in the Library at Hunt Institute will be on historical botanical and horticultural documentation dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.  A sampling from the collection will include a pair of gardening manuals recorded in English manuscript notebooks from the mid-1600s; several broadsides from early European plant nurseries; books on garden design and gardening techniques; narrative descriptions of botanical expeditions; and documentation of new plants introduced into European and, subsequently, American gardens.  

J. Dean Norton will discuss the history of the Mt. Vernon plantation and George Washington’s efforts to develop an efficient and productive agri-business in Colonial and Early America.  Topics to be included during his discussion, George Washington’s Gardens, Landscape and Trees, are 18th century garden design and gardening practices used by Washington and, in particular, arboriculture which was a special interest of the first President. 

Mt. Vernon’s Director of Horticulture tells the wonderful story of a great mans efforts in creating an exceptional country seat with an emphasis on the plants he loved the most, trees. He planted trees for shade, beauty and those that bloomed he called “clever.”  Mr. Norton’s presentation is not a history lesson, but an informative yet entertaining look at the landscape and gardening world of George Washington, its use and importance.   Many modern organic methods are derived from historical garden practices, such as those used by Washington at Mt. Vernon.  

Doug Oster will offer organic gardening techniques for the modern gardener.   Mr. Oster, whose special interest is heirloom tomatoes, will illustrate ways to cultivate a safe and productive garden using ecologically sound practices in Going Green - Easy Tips for Organic Gardening.  Mr. Oster will cover everything it takes to go organic, from time honored practices used during the birth of our nation to the latest innovative techniques for growing not only the safest garden, but also your best garden ever.  

Dean Sylvester will present Propagation for Historic Gardens, a hands-on gardening activity for attendees.  His focus this year will be on techniques for propagating plants from cuttings.  The activity will take place in the site’s greenhouse which sits on the site of the Harmony Society’s original Economy greenhouse, c. 1830.  The Society, which, like Washington, was interested in agri-business, not only propagated newly discovered plant varieties for their agricultural and textile businesses in their green house and botanical gardens, but also shipped seeds and cuttings commercially to farmers and larger plantations throughout the United States in the years before the Civil War.  Mr. Sylvester’s demonstration perpetuates a Harmony Society practice.  Topics discussed include encouraging plant traits, new growth versus old growth, hearty versus non-hearty and how changes in environmental conditions can affect plant survival.  

In addition to the Garden Mart, the Old Economy Village Museum Store will be offering a broad selection of books, seeds and other garden related items during the event.  Old Economy Village is open Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday:  Noon - 5:00 p.m.  The site is closed Mondays and holidays except Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day (call for hours.)  Please allow 2 hours for a visit.  Admission is charged.  The Old Economy Village Visitor Center offers visitors an orientation film, a permanent exhibit on the Harmony Society, and a new exhibit set to open in 2009 entitled Harmony in Wood, which discusses the different woods and structure of Harmonist furniture.   People with disabilities who need special assistance or accommodation to attend the Workshop or visit the site should call (724) 266-4500 in advance of their visit to discuss their needs.  Pennsylvania TDD relay service is available at (800) 654-5984.  

Old Economy Village, located off Route 65 in Ambridge, is one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History®, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For more information or to request a free 24-page visitor guide, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us or phone toll free 1-866-PA TRAIL. For more information on Old Economy Village visit www.oldeconomyvillage.org.