1942

On October 2-4, 1942, The St. Louis Herb Society (then also the St. Louis Unit of the Herb Society of America) participated in its first major public event when it presented displays at the first Victory Garden Harvest Show. This event was held at the Missouri Botanical Garden where many portions of the garden were opened for public viewing including the Floral Display House, Tower Grove House, Experimental Greenhouse, the Museum Building (now the Steven and Peter Sachs Museum), and the Library.

The Herb Society joined other invited exhibitors under a large tent that was erected not far from Tower Grove House. For the first time in the Garden’s history an entrance fee was charged and the proceeds were donated to “Army and Navy Relief”. An extensive description of the first Victory Garden Harvest Show can be found in “Fifty-fourth Annual Report from the Director [Dr. George T. Moore]”, Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin, volume 31, number 1, January 1943, plates 1-4 and pages 1-31, in particular plate 1 and pages 1-5.

The Herb Society participated in this event again the following year with exhibits in the Museum Building including an apothecary shop.

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