Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden

A Living Exhibit of the Mütter Museum

— Admission to the Mütter Museum includes access to the garden. —

Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 2, 2022

1. Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden Marker

Inscription.
Soon after The College of Physicians of Philadelphia's founding in 1787, Benjamin Rush suggested that the College should create a garden. It was a practical suggestion. Plants were at the heart of colonial medicine, and Rush argued that the study of Botany, a "branch of medicine," was an essential component of the College's mission to 'Advance the cause of health and thereby lessen human misery.'

Over a century later, in 1911, this lot was purchased to create a flower garden. Then, in 1937, to commemorate the College's 150th anniversary, the garden was redesigned to include medicinal plants just as Benjamin Rush had originally envisioned. In 2001, the garden was formally renamed the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden.

Erected by The Mütter Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1787.

Location. 39° 57.188′ N, 75° 10.607′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Rittenhouse Square. Marker is on South 22nd Street just north of Ranstead Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia PA 19103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. Ginger (here, next to this marker); Plant As Medicine (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden (a few steps from this marker); The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Building (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia (within shouting distance of this marker); June 5th Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 2, 2022

2. Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.