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WHEREAS, the Herb Society of America was formed in 1933 by seven women from New England who were interested in learning more about the botany and horticulture of herbs; and,
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WHEREAS, our local chapter, the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America, was founded in 1958; and,
WHEREAS, at the invitation of the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Center, the forerunner of the Phipps Garden Center, the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America was invited to create a demonstration herb garden in Mellon Park in 1976; and,
WHEREAS, the Elizabethan Herb Garden in Mellon Park was designed and created by a member of the Western Pennsylvania Unit in 1977; and,
WHEREAS, the Mellon Park Herb Garden has evolved over the years to accommodate historical occasions, changing times, and the inspiration of the herb garden coordinator; and,
WHEREAS, the Elizabethan Herb Garden has hosted visits from national chapter members of the Herb Society of America and students of Master Gardner classes at Phipps Garden Center; and,
WHEREAS, the garden has added plant tags in Braille that have enabled students from the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children to learn more about the herbs in the Elizabethan Herb Garden; and,
WHEREAS, the Garden has been used for photography and botany classes, allowing local students to sharpen their skills and expand their educational horizons; and,
WHEREAS, the Elizabethan Herb Garden has now grown to thirteen beds, encompassing the many aspects of a true herbalist’s garden; and,
WHEREAS, the Garden now welcomes visitors from the region, the country, and around the world.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the Elizabethan Herb Garden in Mellon Park as a place of beauty, respite, and learning; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare April 26, 2025, to be “The Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.