The development of heritage gardens on the grounds of the Dundas Museum is an exciting project.

In her book Early Canadian Gardening, Eileen Woodhead writes, 'Although many immigrants and newcomers to the Canadas lived in shanties or log cabins in densely wooded landscapes, this type of homestead was generally regarded as temporary, a first step towards establishing a more permanent home. Travellers in the Niagara area (settled by Loyalists in the 1780s) noted by the 1830s that few shanties were left - by this time most homes were wood-framed or of masonry structure. But no matter what their economic status, settlers often turned to their gardens in their efforts to create a civilized appearance. In doing so they could feel closer to the established homes and traditions they had left behind in Great Britain or the American states.'

The Old-Time Gardens
'The gardens of our forefathers were models of neatness and order as well as pictures of beauty. The garden plot stood close by the house and was surrounded by a picket or board fence to keep out the poultry, pigs and other animals that would soon make havoc of the flower and vegetable beds, if accidentally allowed to enter. A path ran round the sides of the garden and one or two paths through the centre. One could not help wondering how our busy grandmothers found time to devote to such work, but their gardens were apparently their pride, and they spent a good deal of time working in them. It was the custom always to take visitors out and shew them through the garden before leaving…
In the spring of the year our grandmothers would bring out the boxes in which were stored the seeds collected the previous fall, each kind of seed being wrapped up in a separate parcel, some in folds of newspaper, some in pieces of brown bags, all carefully marked and pinned up or tied with a piece of string or tape.'

Michael Gonder Scherk, 1905, Pen Pictures of
Early Pioneer Life in Upper Canada

The Dundas Museum offers opportunities for visitors to enjoy the fragrance, beauty and history of perennials, biennials, roses, bulbs and annuals available in Upper Canada in the nineteenth century. The cobblestone edged path gently winds its way, leading visitors from the front door of the Museum to the Doctor's Office. A garden bench, donated by the Knowles Bequest Fund invites you to linger. Come by and sit a while.

Heritage Gardens at the Museum - yours to enjoy!

 

website updated June 23, 2010
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