The origins of this plant-filled compound come from a time when an interesting solution was suggested for poverty and homelessness in the agrarian state of Oregon.
Now a hotel with a few different restaurants and bars, this land was once a working farm and shelter for hard working folks experiencing homelessness.
Climbing plants climb up the outside of the brick buildings. Wide windows let in sunlight and covered porches creates outdoor space even on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
At one time residents took care of these landscapes. The people who lived at Edgefield Poor House, instead of paying rent, worked for their food and stay.
Between the different buildings there are courtyards with ornamental plants and gardens of all sorts. Some are vegetable gardens that at one time supplied ingredients for the collective kitchens. These days the gardens are mostly demonstrative rather than subsistence but I still really loved taking a stroll through the herb and flower garden.
Never before had I seen columbine flowers of so many diverse colors. This one was particularly vibrant.
My mom felt inspired by the patch of angelic plants growing in a circular bed. At one point Angelica was a major herb in healing and i suppose was often used for the hospital wing of this facility.
Bellow the rows of pear trees grew abundant patches of comfrey. Another herb with a long use in healing, comfrey was often used topically, like a natural bandage for wounds on the skin. Even to this day comfrey remains an important tool in the practice of herbal medicine. I am glad to see so many historical healing herbs preserved inside this place that has been home to many humans and stories.