Altavista in Campbell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026
1. Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden Marker
Herbs were used by Colonists for seasoning and for medicinal purposes
Basil - Sweetening air freshener, aided digestion and muscle spasms. Attacted bees.
Chives - Flavoring, clusters were suspended from ceiling and bedposts to prevent diseases and to keep away evil spirits.
Dill - Aided digestion, seasoning, seeds chewed for fresh breath.
Lavender - Aided stiff joints, tiredness, insect repellent, fight disease, fragrance in perfume.
Lemon balm - Thomas Jefferson grew this at Monticello. Strewn on floor to help room odors. Flavored beverages, made the heart joyful, attracted bees and kept them in hives.
Mint - Colonists used for tea, and was used in sauces and jellies, air freshener. Native Americans used it on forehead to help headaches, coughs and chest congestion.
Oregano - Seasoning, toothaches and nerves.
Parsley - Breath freshness, insect repellent, medicine (vitamins and minerals). Colored wine and sage cheese, a diuretic.
Rosemary - Seasoning to prevent baldness and headaches, freshened breath.
Sage - Seasoning in ground sausage, stuffing, chicken, duck and stews. Aided memory, quick senses, longevity, a preservative and mouthwash.
Savory (winter) - One of first herbs planted by the colonists.
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Thyme - Placed sprigs on lard to keep them from becoming rancid, placed in pillows as body heat caused frangrance to be released. Seasoning for soups, stews, meat, cheese and eggs. Used as mouthwash, fought gout, rheumatism and headaches.
Erected by Avoca Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine.
Location. 37° 7.806′ N, 79° 16.162′ W. Marker is in Altavista, Virginia, in Campbell County. It can be reached from Avoca Lane west of Main Street (Business U.S. 29), on the right when traveling west. The Marker is located on the grounds of the Avoca Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1514 Main Street, Altavista VA 24517, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Herb Garden (here, next to this marker); Smoke House (here, next to this marker); Civil War Cannon (a few steps from this marker); Altavista 9/11 Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Hogsheads, Ward's Road, and Batteaux (a few steps from this marker); General James Dearing
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026
2. Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026
3. Uses for Avoca's Colonial Herb Garden Marker
Photographed by C. Ryan Dodson, May 9, 2026
4. Colonial Herb Garden Sign
Located near the Marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2026, by C. Ryan Dodson of Danville, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
