by Leisa McCracken | Mar 24, 2023
May 2nd, 2023 * 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Program is FREE! | Planting an Herbal Container Garden
In the first of a series of four Garden Talks, gardening expert Pam Rowland presents an in-the-garden program on how to create an herbal container garden.
Held in the Institute’s Civil War-era garden at Monterey Pass, attendees will learn about the different containers that can be used for planting herb gardens, and about the uses of culinary herbs.
Pam will demonstrate planting an herbal container garden, and talk about the needs and growing habits of herbs, as well as how to take care of your herbal container garden.
The adjacent Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum will be open especially for attendees of this event.
About the garden:
Created in partnership with the Friends of the Battle of Monterey Pass, the garden was based on extensive research and was planted by The Institute’s garden director and volunteers.
It will be an educational tool for area school children and for visitors to Monterey Pass Battlefield Museum.
“The garden is an interpretation of a Civil War-era garden, not a literal reproduction,” said Rowland, The Institute’s director of education and the garden director.
“In addition to traditional vegetables, 19th-century gardens often included a variety of herbs, used for both medicinal and culinary purposes.”
The garden will have a significant number of such herbs.
Many of these were used historically as “backyard medicine” by households and were also used by surgeons and doctors tending to wounded Civil War soldiers.
“For example, lamb’s ear was used on wounds,” Rowland said, “and lemon balm was used to relieve headaches.”
The 25-by-28-foot garden is enclosed by a period style wooden fence, constructed with reproduction 19th-century-style nails.
With six raised beds and one 24-foot-long bed, the plantings will change from year to year, always with an eye to reflecting period gardens.
This year, veggies like rhubarb and onions have been planted with the herbs.
A corps of Institute garden volunteers and Blue Ridge Garden Club members work with The Institute to maintain the garden throughout the season.
Upcoming Garden Talks include:
Participants should wear shoes appropriate for being inside the garden.
Seating is not provided, but feel free to bring a chair.
by Leisa McCracken | Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 * 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Exploring the secrets of a 200-year-old homestead and how its environment influenced early settlers is the focus of a new program offered by The Institute.
Presented in partnership with Little Antietam Creek, Inc. (LACI), “Archaeology, Geology and the Environment: Exploration on the Stoner Farm,” is the first in The Institute’s new series of Discover programs for students in grades 5–12 (ages 10 to 17).
Students will join Institute educators and LACI archaeologists to “dig into the past” at the historic Stoner Farm, an active, working archaeological site in Waynesboro.
With archaeologist Scott Parker, students will learn the why, what, and how of archaeology, including how artifacts are processed and what they can tell us about how the Stoners lived.
Hands-on activities include digging and working with artifacts, testing the properties of limestone and soil, looking for new dig sites using remote sensing, and learning how limestone is cut and mortar is made.
Institute educators, Pam Rowland, Bruce Rowland, and Beth Skroban will explore the history, geography, and environment of the farm.
Students will discover why the Stoners built in this spot, and how they used the natural resources around them (soil, trees, rocks, water, and vegetation).
In addition, they will examine the rock used to construct the buildings on the property.
The program fee is $20 for members of The Institute and $25 for the general public.
Pre-registration is required by Friday, July 29.
Sign up NOW! Enrollment limited to 20.
by Leisa McCracken | Jun 24, 2022
Enter our NEW RAFFLE for a chance to WIN a private Appalachian Trail Hike for up to five (5) people, led by Institute Naturalist, Pam Rowland (our Director of Education).
Hike the AT with Pam! Her knowledge and expertise will ensure that you discover unknown treasures along the trail.
Your guide will share a wealth of stories and information—learn about wildflowers, wildlife, trees and other plants and the magic of forest ecology.
After your morning of fun & adventure, enjoy a picnic-style, delicious, packed lunch from Café del Sol.
Enter by 4 p.m. on June 30! Drawing on July 4 at our Salamander Scramble 5K.
Entry fee: $20. Grand Prize includes the guided hike and lunch for five people, plus 1 set of hiking poles.
Enter the drawing Here. More entries = more chances to win!
–OR–
Mail a check for $20 per entry (multiple entries welcome!!), along with your name, email address & phone number, to:
The Institute • PO Box 971 • Waynesboro, PA 17268
by Leisa McCracken | Jan 21, 2022
Tuesday February 1, 2022 * 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Winter fun for kids is on tap in February with a new EXPLORE! program series from The Institute.
Designed for kids in grades K to 5, the programs will run on Tuesdays, February 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area near Waynesboro, Pa.
All program activities are outside. Taught by Institute educators, each program includes educational activities related to the season.
Register for one session OR the full series of four programs!
Activities include listening to a storybook about birds, plus learning about the structure of a bird’s body and how to identify several winter bird species.
On a guided hike, students will learn some bird calls and look for birds. They will also make an edible plant bouquet for the birds.
Instructor: Pam Rowland
Grades: K–5
Cost: $5-member, $6 non-member.
Limit: 15.
Location: Pine Hill Recreation Area
COVID protocols in accordance with CDC and PA DOH guidelines will be followed.
Masks are not required for outdoor activities but are recommended when appropriate distancing (3 feet) is not possible.
by Leisa McCracken | Jul 16, 2021
Wednesday August 4th * 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Exploring the secrets of a 200-year-old homestead and how its environment influenced early settlers is the focus of a new program offered by The Institute.
Presented in partnership with Little Antietam Creek, Inc. (LACI), “Archaeology, Geology and the Environment: Exploration on the Stoner Farm,” is the first in The Institute’s new series of Discover programs for students in grades 5–12 (ages 10 to 17).
Students will join Institute educators and LACI archaeologists to “dig into the past” at the historic Stoner Farm, an active, working archaeological site in Waynesboro.
With archaeologist Scott Parker, students will learn the why, what, and how of archaeology, including how artifacts are processed and what they can tell us about how the Stoners lived.
Hands-on activities include digging and working with artifacts, testing the properties of limestone and soil, looking for new dig sites using remote sensing, and learning how limestone is cut and mortar is made.
Institute educators, Pam Rowland and Beth Skroban will explore the history, geography, and environment of the farm.
Students will discover why the Stoners built in this spot, and how they used the natural resources around them (soil, trees, rocks, water, and vegetation).
In addition, they will examine the rock used to construct the buildings on the property.
The program fee is $20 for members of The Institute and $25 for the general public. Pre-registration is required by Monday, August 2.
