Its current project is establishing an herb garden at the Museum of Troy History on East Water Street. The project is mutually beneficial for the herb society and the museum’s board.
“Our museum tries to show how life was lived in Troy between 180 and present – gardening was a large part,” said Doug Tremblay, museum board member. “Herbs were used in cooking, canning and medicine. The herb society has selected examples to enhance our museum experience.”
Previously known as the Brukner Herb Society, the group grew from a daylong herb workshop organized at Brukner Nature Center in spring 1977.
Georgia Bayman of Tipp City, herb society member, said at that time herb plants were not readily available, and many people had no idea how they could be used.
That was in contrast to their popularity in the Middle Ages through Victorian times when herbs were used to flavor foods, dye cloth, scent rooms and treat illnesses, among other uses.
In the 1980s, herbs again gained popularity and the Brukner Herb Society was busy with an herb garden near the Iddings log house at Brukner, Bayman said. The group also worked with school children that visited the log house as part of pioneer studies.
In recent years, student visits declined due to school funding cuts and maintenance problems were experienced with the garden due to increased shade and pest issues, Bayman said.
As a result, the herb society starting moving in a new direction, including the garden projects, and earlier this year changed its named to the Miami County Herb Society.
The group meets monthly March through December. Members share herbal tips, recipes and gardening ideas, hear informative speakers and plan garden tours and trips
Herb society members Norv and Sue Deeter of Bethel Twp., Miami County, are opening their gardens at 7475 Dayton-Brandt Road for a free tour June 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The property includes more than a dozen beds including their herb garden.
Herb society members will have plants and other garden-related items for sale, as well as herbal refreshments. Donations will be accepted.
For more information about the garden tour or about the Miami County Herb Society, contact Bayman at (937) 667-8855.
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