Spring Celebration: From Colony to COVID: A History of the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Garden

Join us Sunday, March 21 at 4 pm for a virtual celebration of spring with Jacqui Bowan, co-director of Living Exhibits at the Mütter Museum of the College Physicians of Philadelphia. 

From the dreams of the founders in 1787 to botany classes today, plants have always been a component of the work of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.  This talk will describe the history and development of this tranquil urban greenspace, and how it is being used to enhance the lives of modern Philadelphians.

Registration is free at scottarboretum.org, but required. 

Jacqui Bowman is the Co-Director of Living Exhibits at the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.  She has overseen a revitalization of the Benjamin Rush Medicinal Plant Garden that has included the addition of a “White Garden,” the expansion of the Colonial era medicinal plants, and the addition of the African Diaspora-themed  “Plants as Power” exhibition. She oversaw the College’s first ever participation in the Philadelphia Flower Show in 2020.  

She also directs the College’s Center for Education and is currently the Acting Co-Director of the Mütter Museum.  She moved to Philadelphia 27 years ago from England, where she received her PhD in Biological Anthropology from the University of Cambridge. She is an enthusiastic member of the plant exchange community in Philadelphia.