Soldiers and Salves

On September 12 from 10 AM – 12 PM, beginning at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, discover how medicinal herbs supported physicians and soldiers in Revolutionary Bethlehem as you visit the recreated Apothecary Garden, located in the heart of the Moravian Church Settlements-Bethlehem UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This program looks at what might have been taking place in Moravian Bethlehem during the Revolutionary War in September 1777, when disrupted supply lines forced physicians to rely on locally grown plants for medicinal treatment. This presentation by Apothecary Garden lead caretaker and Penn State Master Gardener Judy Gilotti kicks off going over what was planted in the garden and how each plant was used.

Following the presentation at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, attendees visit the Apothecary and Apothecary Garden, where Judy will point out specific plants and their history. The guide then leads the group into the Apothecary building, once the nation’s oldest continually operating pharmacy, before visiting God’s Acre – the oldest cemetery in Bethlehem. At the conclusion of the tour, attendees will return to the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem to explore Moravian Care & Cure: Bethlehem Medicine During the Revolution exhibition, which highlights how Bethlehem’s Moravian community built an unusually organized, humane system of medical care and put it into practice treating wounded Continental Army soldiers during the American Revolution.

About Judy Gilotti

Judy Gilotti, a Penn State Master Gardener, is dedicated to healing through nature. She has a certificate from Longwood Gardens in Floral Design and is currently enrolled at North Carolina State University, where she is studying Therapeutic Horticulture. Judy’s interests include container gardening, historic gardens, and floral design. She believes that exposure to plants and nature bring comfort, purpose, and mental relief to everyone. Judy actively shares this passion by volunteering at local continuing care facilities, restoring historic gardens, and teaching beginner gardening skills to her community.