Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Dooryard Garden
Before the mid-1800s, a dooryard garden was desirable if not essential to every household. Our garden is an interpretation of the plants that would have been grown circa 1840 here in the Greenbrier Valley.
Doctoring was unsophisticated and mostly done at home. Families often relied on women for growing and processing plants that could be used medicinally. After all, the garden of "simples" was the housewife's domain.
Many plants had multiple uses. Pleasing or strong scented leaves and flowers were not only little luxuries, they often acted as essential pest repellents. Certain medicinal herbs might also flavor or preserve foods. A herb garden can be quite beautiful but usefulness was its primary purpose.
Fun Facts
The North House's dooryard garden was started in 2014 by Curator Toni Ogden.Discover What's Growing!
Our historic roses, Single Musk and the climber Old Bush, were purchased from Monticello.
"Simples" are herbs used on their own as medical treatment, so a garden of simples would refer to a medicinal herb garden.
Erected by Greenbrier Historical Society.
Topics. This historical
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Location. 37° 48.181′ N, 80° 26.898′ W. Marker is in Lewisburg, West Virginia, in Greenbrier County. It can be reached from Washington Street West (U.S. 60) west of Courtney Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 285 Washington St W, Lewisburg WV 24901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of Lewisburg / North House Grounds (here, next to this marker); Virginia Supreme Court Library (within shouting distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 28, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
