'Gardening Through The Ages' Exhibit Is Open For Viewing At The Confluence Center

In addition to their permanent display, as of May 1st the Confluence Center got a new temporary display which only happens about once every two years. 'Gardening through the Ages' is an interesting look at the history and progression gardens and gardeners have had in this area.

The exhibit takes guests through the trials, errors, and successes of early gardeners who tended their gardens through extreme weather, hailstorms, short growing seasons, early frost, pests, and drought.

For the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes, the garden was a sacred spot and vegetables were planted in a specific order from the perimeter in. For military forts, a garden was another means to keep soldiers fit, and prayers and blessings were regularly offered by many different cultures. Whatever purposes a garden had, all were second to it being a primary food source throughout harsh winters. A devastated garden could mean disease and death with scurvy being an issue especially among military forts. Treatment for the disease which causes severe joint pain, bruising to the legs and feet, loss of teeth, and even death was acid found in limes, lemons, and vinegar.

Even if Mother Nature appeared to be on the gardener's side, pests still had to be dealt with to prevent a ruined harvest. A variety of methods were used such as thorny buffalo berry fences, traps, guns, bows and arrows.

During WWI and WWII, gardening was promoted as a patriotic act, encouraging civilians to grow their own produce in an attempt to have enough supplies for armed forces.

The display offers many examples of evolved gardening and preserving methods and shows a detailed history of the significant role vegetable gardens have played throughout the years.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota developed and covered the costs of the exhibit and the subject of each exhibit is determined by either the Historical Curators or by public request. The State Historical Society of North Dakota provides exhibits to museums throughout the state either by 'traveling trunks', which are smaller displays or entire room exhibits such as the one at the Confluence Center. There is a $5.00 charge for adults and a $2.50 charge for ages 5 to 16 year olds which allows for a tour through the Confluence Center as well as a tour of Fort Buford. The public is invited to stop by from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Central Time and 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Central Time from Memorial Day until Labor Day. It is located 22 miles southwest of Williston, ND off highways 1804 and 58; for more information visit them online at history.nd.gov.