Vineland Historical & Antiquarian Society Creating Garden in Honor of Mary Treat

The Vineland Historical and Antiquarian Society will create a bog garden and insect habitat in honor of botanist Mary Treat, part of the celebration of history and gardens planned for the month of May.

The museum grounds currently houses a rain garden, which uses land contours and run-off waters from the museum’s rain gutter system.  Plants are currently growing at that site.

On May 16 and 17 at 10 am, an archeological dig led by R. Alan Mounier, trustee and archeologist, will examine the soil and possible historic artifacts on the sites which will become the bog and community gardens.

On May 18 and 19 at 10 am, planting of the gardens will take place.  The bog garden will include a variety of plants, including carnivorous plants.  The community garden will include vegetables and herbs.  An insect habitat will also be installed nearby. 

Also on May 18, the museum will hold an open house from 1 to 4 pm.  Rain barrels will be placed by the gardens and children will be encouraged to place painted handprints on the barrels.

The society encourages public participation.  A supply wish list has been developed for those who wish to contribute peat moss, garden hose, a container for the bog garden, wood to surround the garden and for the insect habitat, signage for each garden, and domestically grown native and carnivorous plants.  Volunteer labor is also welcomed in addition to monetary donations.

"Mary spent hours watching and identifying plants and insects of all kinds, “ said Jen Hainley, project chair. “She wrote many publications and communicated with Charles Darwin about her findings.  Since she was a Vineland resident, we are setting up a garden and insect dwelling to honor her accomplishments.”  

Bog gardens contain a variety of plants, some carnivorous, which can attract pollinating insects. When the soil conidiation is not natural, a pond or swamp-like setting can be developed from plastic containers or small pools.

The museum is located at 108 South Seventh St. in Vineland.  Please visit https://discovervinelandhistory.org or call 856-691-1111 for participation and donation information.