Botany has been a well-documented passion hobby in Moravian towns for centuries, and both boys and girls were taught relevant botany skills through learning natural history, painting and sketching, and nature walks. If you attended our 2025 program Boys' School Botany, this is the other side of that experience exploring what girls would have been learning!

The Girls' School Botany program explores both the artwork and the botanical successes and failures of notable Moravian women of Salem and Springplace in the 1800s who were botany teachers. We will also try specimen documentation through watercolor in ways that botanically trained girls at Salem Academy would have been accustomed to in the early 1800s. People of all plant knowledge and watercolor skill levels are welcome, as there will be beginner-level instruction, and all program tools and materials will be provided.

This workshop takes place on the grounds of Old Salem Museums & Gardens and will include both an indoor (in the classroom) and an outdoor (venturing into the gardens) portion. The gardens may be wet/muddy. Weather appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended if you choose to join us for this educational crafting adventure at the Garden Education Center! 

This workshop is suited for ages 12+. Children under the age of 18 registered for this event must be accompanied by a registered adult. Check-in for this program will be at the Garden Education Center within the Single Brothers' Workshop, 10 W. Academy Street (entrance is through the courtyard gate between the buildings, to the right, and up the ramp). Please arrive 15 minutes prior to allow time for check-in!