How We Began. . .History of the Nebraska Herbal Society
Interest in herbs in the Lincoln area began in the early 70’s when Louise Evans Doole of the NE Farmer magazine published a pamphlet on the subject. She died soon after and her husband donated her herb plants to the Chet Agar Nature Center in Pioneers Park.
Edna Shields, Lifetime NHS Member, was working at the Nature Center at that time with Dr. Esther Bennet, Nature Center Director. She reports that volunteer, Louise Damke, dug sod and spaded up an area near the Center in order to preserve Dr. Doole’s gift. Dr. Bennett contacted Dr. Emil Pierson, horticulturist at UNL and director of Nebraska Arboretum, for advice on the fledgling garden. This turned into a small meeting of persons interested in herbs… and became NE Herbal Society of Lincoln.
The first official meeting was January 31, 1977 with seven persons in attendance. Dr. Pierson became the first president. Dr. Pierson created a constitution and by-laws, with a four-person board presiding. Other founding members included: Dr. Bennett; Edna Shields; Cecily Best; Mrs. Damke; Lavern Rush; and Hazel Schreiber. A pamphlet, a gift of plants, a volunteer, a garden plot, Lincolnites who grew herbs and eventually, some professionals who wanted to propagate a few herbs … put it all together and you have today’s thriving Louise Evans Doole garden plus a thriving NE Herbal Society of Lincoln celebrating over 30 years of growth and education in how to plant, harvest and use herbs.
The Nebraska Herbal Society celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017. It has evolved into a vibrant organization still devoted to the “growing, propagating, harvesting, and storing of herbs.”
Are you Interested in Herbs?
Would you like to learn about the history of herbs, growing herbs, or cooking with, using, or preserving herbs? Then, you’ll enjoy joining the Nebraska Herbal Society!
NHS monthly meetings include a speaker presentation plus herbal information shared by NHS members and, occasionally, hands-on workshops. Annual events include the Spring Herbal Plant and Bake Sale, summer garden tours, autumn herbal luncheon, and a catered holiday luncheon. There are opportunities to visit beautiful gardens during the year as well.
Membership in the NHS includes a monthly newsletter that is filled with information and herbal recipes. You don’t need to be an herbal expert to join the NHS, just interested in learning about herbs!
Check out the 2024 NHS Meeting Dates and Programs for information on 2024 programs as well as how to join us!
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