BENJAMIN RUSH MEDICINAL PLANT GARDEN

Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and colonial Philadelphia doctor and civic leader, helped to found The College of Physicians of Philadelphia in 1787. During his tenure, he urged College members to maintain a medicinal garden as a natural and cooperative way to replenish their medicine chests.

The College finally took his advice in 1937 when it celebrated its 150th anniversary. The current garden is named in honor of Dr. Rush. The garden contains more than fifty different kinds of herbs, illustrating their medicinal value historically, as well as their value in contemporary medical therapy. Benches in the shade of a magnolia tree offer visitors a pleasant spot to learn, enjoy, or just relax.