Durand-Hedden Herb Garden revitalization

The Durand-Hedden House sits in Grasmere Park, and the park’s most beautiful feature is the Herb Garden, an oasis of tranquility. The Herb Garden has been lovingly cared for by the Maplewood Garden Club since its creation in 1979 in a Colonial-revival style. It opened to the public in May 1980.

For the past year, the Herb Garden has been undergoing revitalization under the guidance of MGC Herb Garden Chair Maria Mulkern, with the help of landscape designer Karen Shelby and her crew. The bricks lining the beds, which had sunk over the years, were dug up and reseated, the paths were refreshed with many pounds of new pebbles, and plants have been pruned, or replaced, with new shrubs and herbs added.

Still to come this summer: reconstruction of the trellis at the east end of the garden and additional plant identification markers. The bench at the west end of the garden is the perfect place to sit and appreciate nature’s beauty at any time of year.

photo credits: Maria Mulkern

Juneteenth 2025 media coverage

Juneteenth 2025, co-hosted by Durand-Hedden House & Garden and the South Orange Maplewood Community Coalition On Race received these mentions in our local media.

• Essex News Daily (The News Record)

• North Jersey

• The Village Green ran an article before the event as well as coverage after the event

Happy Juneteenth 2025! Photos of our celebration are now available.

Celebrating Juneteenth at Durand-Hedden House & Garden, co-hosted with the SOMA Community Coalition on Race, has become a treasured local tradition. This year's event included gospel singers from the First Baptist Church of South Orange, readings from local Black poets Eric Shorter and Heru Stewart, African line dancing, the Kamate Drummers, historical reenactors Daniel Carlton (portraying Thomas Smallwood, Underground Railroad conductor) and Teretha Jones (portraying Elizabeth Keckley, confident to Mary Todd Lincoln), face painting, arts and crafts, an art exhibit featuring works by local Black artists, and the exhibit "Slavery in New Jersey: A Troubled History."

Claire Sinclair was on site to capture it all with her camera. Enjoy reliving the day with her wonderful photos. Click on side arrows to scroll through the slide show.