About Us

History and Mission

 

Prior to European settlement, Essex County and much of Northern New Jersey was inhabited by the Lenape people, stretching from New York City down to Delaware. Much of the state’s place names come from the Munsee language, such as Newark’s Weequahic neighborhood, which means “head of the cove”. The Lenape used a gardening technique known as the “three sisters”: planting corn, beans and squash together. Although Dutch and English colonization led to the dispossession of land for most of New Jersey’s Lenape people, communities such as the Ramapough Lenape in Ringwood continue these farming practices as a means of subsistence and cultural celebration amidst displacement and pollution of the soil by industry.

Here in Newark, the Healing Garden seeks to bring together community leaders from these indigenous communities as well as local chefs, urban agriculturalists, staff and students to better understand the connection between ourselves and the earth. We seek to reintroduce native plants as well as indigenous practices, and invite visitors to better understand where the food we eat comes from, the prominence of food scarcity, and the ways in which Newarkers of every background can bring together ecological knowledge and social justice to create a garden that heals both the body and soul.

The Healing Garden is also part of Newark’s James Street Commons Historic District, the city’s first designated historic district that highlights Newark’s architectural and cultural history in the mid-19th century. The District includes major landmarks such as the Newark Museum, the Newark Public Library, and Harriet Tubman Square.

This lot was originally a row house, constructed some time between 1850 and 1873 when it was listed as the residence of Mrs. A.P. Bedford. The building was connected to the two buildings on either side, and was demolished at some point in the early 1990s. The lot remained empty until 2023.

 

Our Current Work:

In 2023, thanks to an SARE grant, the Price Institute began the process of reviving this empty lot to become the Healing Garden that stands today. Collaborations with the Urban Agricultural Cooperative, the Munsee Three Sisters Medicinal Farm and agricultural professionals across the city have led to the installation of planters, a pathway, and have resulted in a bountiful harvest each fall.

Beyond use by students and faculty at Rutgers-Newark, the Healing Garden also hosts public events and workshops throughout the year. Past events include a farmers market, movie nights, and workshops on edible and medicinal plants. Please check back to our website and our Instagram for updates on future events!