A Herbal History
The Herb Garden has been a part of the West Ottawa (Corkery) community since the early 1990s when it was founded by an ambitious and well traveled couple with a vision they brought to life. After visiting herb gardens in various parts of the world, they began searching for a property that could be well suited to serve such a purpose. The property they decided on was on Old Almonte Road. It had been a working farm since it was settled by an Irish immigrant (Michael Meehan), in the 1820s. They painstakingly developed the land into many display gardens and showcase herb beds, and underwent strenuous yet careful renovations on the barns to bring them back to life like they were brand new. Their dedication and knowledge of plants remains as the back bone of the property today.
In recent years, the Herb Garden took on a new life with the next set of owners. Who continued to offer fabulous workshops, new events, and beautiful gardens. They introduced to the area not only their wonderful charismatic personalities but the development of the Midsummer Herbfest, which is still well know and loved. Although Herbfest is no longer held at the Herb Garden, it is hosted each year at the end of July at beautiful White Lake at the Waba Cottage Museum and Gardens.
The history of the Herb Garden continues to be written. As latest owners, we would love to see it continue with the same traditions, sense of community and love for herbs and the great outdoors.