Experience the rich history and beauty of just a few of the many public gardens in Pennsylvania at Old Economy Village’s Spring Garden Workshop: Gardens of Pennsylvania. On Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., workshop participants have the opportunity to hear and meet with experts from six of Pennsylvania’s historic gardens: Hershey’s Rose Gardens, Bartram’s Garden, Longwood Gardens, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, and Old Economy Village. This program is approved as an advanced training program and qualifies Master Gardeners for updated training hours. Unique plants, garden materials and tools will be available for purchase in the Garden Mart. Registration is $65 for Friends of Old Economy Village Members, $75 for non-member; lunch is included. Pre-registration and prepayment is due by April 7th. Space is limited. For more information or to register for the workshop, call (724) 266-4500, x101 or e-mail c-evoss@state.pa.us.

Through its thematic programming, Economy promotes a greater knowledge of horticulture and encourages interest in conservation and historic preservation. This year, Economy’s workshop focuses on these historical gardens, not only their horticultural aspects, but also for their place within the context of Pennsylvania history. For example, Economy’s formal garden dates to 1825 and Frederick Rapp, a leader of the Harmony Society visited Bartram’s Garden in 1834, and event noted in the Philadelphia newspapers at the time. It is believed that Rapp purchased seeds from Bartram’s and possibly shared plant samples from the Society’s herbarium, which was known to contain plants and seeds from the western territories of that time. Currently Economy’s gardens are undergoing an archeological study in an effort to recreate, as closely as possible, the original garden plan.

In America’s “Ancient Garden:” The Bartram Botanic Garden 1728-1850, Joel T. Fry, Bartram’s Garden’s Curator, will trace the careers of John Bartram and his son William, through their travels in North America, and their impact on international science. It will also look at the history of the Bartram family garden, and its influence on horticulture at home and abroad. Four generations of Bartrams lived and worked at the family garden, making their livelihood by the exchange of plants and natural history specimens with the world. Bartram’s became a gathering point for scientists, artists, gardeners, and the curious. Most of the known plants of eastern North America were in cultivation by the Bartrams. At the beginning of the 19th century the Bartram family expanded into wider commercial horticulture. The rarity of old gardens in the United States makes the survival of this family-run botanic garden most remarkable.

Miles Arnott, Executive Director of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Bucks County, will share the secrets of nature’s garden as he investigates Pennsylvania Wildflowers – Our Native Treasures, exploring Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and the beautiful diversity of Pennsylvania’s native plants. All will enjoy a virtual walk through the seasons, with special emphasis on creative ways to include native plants in the designed naturalistic landscape.

Longwood Gardens’ efforts to preserve the spirit and beauty of the early 20th century gardens of Pierre S. du Pont will be the topic of Section Gardener, Mary Allinson’s presentation. Encompassing 350 acres, with 3.2 acres under conservatory glass, Longwood Gardens is a year-round exhibit with something to experience for every season. Develop your skills and knowledge of year-round ornamental landscaping through Allinson’s presentation, Longwood Gardens - A Garden for All Seasons.

Craig George, Director of Hershey Gardens, and formerly of the Smithsonian Institution, will give a sweeping overview of Hershey, Pennsylvania’s amazing history, with an emphasis on Milton Hershey’s legacy, during his talk Hershey, Hershey Gardens and Growing Roses. Mr. George, who is admittedly “passionate” about the roses found at the Gardens, will also address “Growing Great Roses”-- from planting basics to how to fight insects in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. His audience will learn how to get the most out of their rose plants and vicariously will enjoy a tour through Hershey Gardens, home to over 7,500 roses.

Old Economy Village Historic Horticulturalist, Dean Sylvester, will present, From Seed to Harvest, the Historic Gardens of Old Economy Village. At this National Historic Landmark site, the gardens of Harmony Society leader, George Rapp, were considered to be a “pleasure garden,” “kitchen garden,” and a “fruit garden.” Techniques to maintain your garden, whether vegetable, floral, orchard, or vineyard will be discussed.

Award winning artist and herbalist Eileen Yeager will discuss, A World of Herbs - Culinary Herb Use by Nationality. Ms. Yeager will discuss how climate, geography, religion and ethnicity, and the ebb and flow of history helped determine our food and herbal “heritage.” Some of Ms. Yeager’s artwork will be available for purchase in the Garden Mart and the Museum Store.

In addition to the Garden Mart, the new 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 entitled Out of Harmony, which discusses the tensions and divisions which existed within the outwardly peaceful Harmonist community.

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.