Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden
A Living Exhibit of the Mόtter Museum
| | Admission to the Mόtter Museum includes access to the garden. | |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 2, 2022
1. Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden Marker
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 Mόtter 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. It is on South 22nd Street just north of Ranstead
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Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ginger (here, next to this marker); Medical Aloe (a few steps from this marker); Okra (a few steps from this marker); Plant As Medicine (a few steps from this marker); Philadelphia Horticulture and the College (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
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 2, 2022
2. Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Ginger (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
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 514 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 6, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
