Horticulture History

Join us as we explore the history of horticulture at the Bowne House in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Journey back in time as we discuss how Bowne family members depended on plants for food and medicine, and take a peek into daily life on a farm in Colonial Flushing. This page includes articles and archival images for all ages, as well as creative activities for students. The Bowne House continues to maintain an herb garden to represent the significant roles these plants played in the lives of colonial Americans.

To be clear, we are not making any medical recommendations; all of the writing is intended to serve as historical context only.