Into The Garden: Old Alabama Town’s Historic Garden Revitalization
Central Alabama is rich with natural history, and the Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery is expanding the ways people can learn about it through the Landmarks Passalong Gardeners program. Supported by a Mid-South RC&D grant, the program presents Alabama’s history through botanical storytelling, wildlife education, and preservation.
Taking Root
Over the course of 27 renovation events, gardeners and other volunteers helped restore gardens at Old Alabama Town that now serve as outdoor classrooms for the educational program
There are seven gardens:
- Dye garden
- Children’s garden
- Scent garden
- Yancy Dogtrot Garden
- Dr. Duncan’s Garden
- Fitzpatrick Garden
- Judy Youngblood’s Herb Garden
Each space is unique. For example, Dr. Duncan’s Garden features plants with past medicinal value. Judy Youngblood’s Herb Garden hosts a diverse variety of edible plants.
"The renovation of the historic gardens rapidly became the heart of our outdoor classroom and a hands-on lesson in organic gardening for every visitor who walked through."
Renovation Work
Completing this project was no simple task. It took a team effort. Over 3,500 people participated in the program and helped finish restoration efforts. That total includes 2,750 adults, 23 Master Gardeners, and 751 students. With the Mid-South RC&D grant, Landmarks purchased gardening tools, wheelbarrows, soil improvement materials, raised flowerbeds, garden signage, and a drip irrigation system. The grant also covered costs to repair the toolshed. Together, the materials and 672 volunteer hours brought Old Alabama Town’s seven special gardens back to life.
"This project supports the preservation of native Alabama plant species. The botanical storytelling aspect offers Master Gardeners, volunteers, and visitors a first-hand experience that connects gardening with Alabama’s history."
Today, Old Alabama Town is a welcoming space where people can learn about Alabama history and gardening. Activities include a variety of educational workshops focusing on gardening, natural dyes, seed collection and seed calendar, along with community composting, beekeeping, and hands-on lectures.
Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery
The Landmarks Foundation is a nonprofit community-based preservation organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Landmarks has worked with the city of Montgomery to create and manage Old Alabama Town, a collection of historic structures located in downtown Montgomery.
