Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
New World Medical Plants
Photographed By Mike Stroud
1. New World Medical Plants Marker
On this site
During the 1730's the Trustees of the Georgia Colony, aided by funds from the Worshipful Society Of Apothecaries of London sought to grow New World medical plants both for their therapeutic value and for the enrichment of empire. The Society's participation is recognized as the first activity of organized pharmacy in America.
Erected 1983 by The American Institute of the History of Pharmacy and the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Science & Medicine.
Location. 32° 4.71′ N, 81° 5.054′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is on East Broad Street near East Bay Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is half block from East Bay Street, at the Parking lot for today's Pirate House, located on the sidewalk side, in the brick wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 East Broad Street, Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Old Pirates House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trustees' Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Georgia Medical Society
this page online
Regarding New World Medical Plants. Botanists were sent from England to the four corners of the world to procure plants for the new project and soon vine cuttings, fruit trees, flax, hemp, spices, cotton, indigo, olives and medicinal herbs were all taking root on the banks of the Savannah River. The greatest hopes; however, were centered in the wine industry and in the Mulberry trees which were essential to the culture of silk. But both of these crops failed due to the unsuitable soil and weather conditions. From this garden, however, were distributed the peach trees which have since given Georgia and South Carolina a major commercial crop and also the upland cotton which later comprised the greater part of the worlds commerce. (excerpt: Pirate House History)
Also see . . .
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 2008
2. Marker seen here in the brick wall, at left
Note the Trustees Garden sign overhead
1. Trustee Georgia, 1732-1752. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
"The first twenty years of Georgia history are referred to as Trustee Georgia because during that time a Board of Trustees governed the colony." (Submitted on March 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Worshipful Society Of Apothecaries of London. Society website homepage (Submitted on March 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,749 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 28, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on March 14, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
