Herb Garden Workshops at the Bidwell House

Print Story | Email Story
MONTEREY, Mass. — In 2023 the Bidwell House Museum embarked on a project to revitalize their herb garden, one of a number of teaching gardens onsite. 
 
Funded by a grant from Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area and completed by Gardens of the Goddess, the old herb garden was cleared, the space was redesigned and new herbs were planted.  
 
In 2024, the Museum is hosting two workshops with Gardens of the Goddess on July 2 and 16, about designing and harvesting your very own herb garden.
 
First, on Tuesday July 2 at 10 a.m., join Gardens of the Goddess owner Pat Parkins as she explores how to plan an herb garden for both culinary and medicinal uses. You will have the opportunity to work on a rough design for your own herb garden and learn how to prepare the ground to receive your new plants. Bring your ideas, measurements of the area you would like to develop.
 
Then, on Tuesday July 16 at 10 a.m., in the 2nd herb garden workshop, Parkins will show you what to do when your herbs have sprouted and are ready to be harvested. Starting with a sampling of medicinal plants readily found in our area, we will talk about what to harvest, how to identify the plants, how to harvest, and ways to dry these plants. We will also talk about different ways to use herbal remedies, such as teas and tinctures, and how to prepare them.
 
Both workshops will last around an hour. Tickets for each event are $10 for Museum members and $20 for Non-Members.
 
Pat Parkins is the owner of Gardens of the Goddess, a Becket based company that has been working for over 25 years to enhance nature's beauty through artful landscape design, installation and maintenance.
 
These workshops are sponsored by the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area.
 
Both of these workshops will be presented at the Bidwell House Museum at 100 Art School Road in Monterey and due to limited space, pre-registration on the Museum website will be required. Tickets for both programs can be purchased on the Bidwell House Museum website at https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/events/
 

Tags: Bidwell House Museum,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories