Waterford Historical Society (Connecticut) official seal.

Waterford Historical Society (CT)

Located in front of Beebe-Phillips House, this garden is named for Terry Wilmot, former president of both the Waterford Historical Society and the Thames River Garden Club, who designed it to represent a typical cottage garden of the 1840's. The garden club plants flowers and herbs and maintains the garden year-round.


Some of the herbs and their uses:


Rosemary - culinary, in sauces, on roasts. Also used medicinally to improve memory.

Tansy (tanacetum vulgaris)­ - Poisonous leaves and flowers, once brewed as a tea for colic . Used as a moth repellent. Also planted by doorways to keep out ants. Coffins were lined with it to lessen odors. 


Thyme (thymus vulgaris) - culinary, in sauces, gravy, stews, dressings, tea.

Sage (salvia officinalis) - culinary,  used with meat, fish, cheese, stuffing, squash, and breads.

Sweet Woodruff (galium odoratum) - for fragrances, in beverages such as cold fruit drinks, tea and wine. Also a stewing herb. Was also stuffed into mattresses for sweet dreams.

Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis) - for fragrances, as an ornamental, in lemon scented sachets, potpourris and teas.

Chives (allium schoenoprasum) -­ for culinary and ornamental uses. 

Hollyhocks (alcea rosea) - ornamental, an old-fashioned flower favorite.

Mint (mentha) - culinary, used in fruit drinks, with lamb; and as a moth repellent.


Lovage (levisticum officinale) culinary, similar to celery; medicinal, diuretic

"Herbs are good companions - To vegetables in the garden - To cooks in the kitchen."

Terry Wilmot Garden