Many medicinal plants brought to the New World escaped dooryard gardens and naturalized in our local flora, which now includes many plants with legitimate or presumed curative properties. A number of these same medicinal herbs were used in cookery and food preservation, revealing the ethnobotanical wisdom of herbal antibiotic properties. On June 5 at 1:30 pm, Judith Sumner, a specialist in ethnobotany, flowering plants, plant adaptations, and garden history, will present an intriguing overview of medicinal and culinary plants—from ancient traditions to gourmet cookery, military history, and modern medicine.
Sought after as a speaker, Sumner has been guest on the “Martha Stewart Living” TV show, the PBS program “Cultivating Life,” and various other PBS and educational programs. She lectures widely at botanical gardens, universities, and various symposia. The talk will be held at the Lexington Depot, followed by a tour of the Lexington Historical Society’s Hancock-Clarke House herb gardens and refreshments in Hancock-Clarke Barn. Tickets available at https://www.lexingtonhistory.org/events.html
An optional private tour of the Hancock-Clarke House is available after the presentation at 4:30 PM. LHS/LFGC members free, $10 for non-members. This add-on is available at the ticket link above.
This tour is limited to 30 people.
