The History Garden

Welcome to the History Garden

Hudson’s History Garden is situated between two heritage houses at 539-41 Main Road.  The garden was designed as a para-public pleasure garden: an intimate space accessible to the public for enjoyment, education, and cultural activities. Installed in 2012, and belonging to the town of Hudson, The History Garden was made possible through the financial support and participation of MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges citizens. Built from generosity, horticulture “gifts from the garden” offered back to the public are part of its mandate.

The garden

The garden is composed of heritage and naturalized flower beds, and a remarkable Black Walnut tree- which is the largest known example of its species in Quebec. A stone wall salvaged from a house foundation and 3 unique benches offer vantage points to experience this site.

Garden theme

The History Garden was inspired by the spirit and motif of a crazy quilt. Plant material is bedded in irregular patches to create a botanical blanket.

A story board on site depicts this quilt from a bird’s eye view, interpreting the stylistic changes that took place in the socio-cultural fabric of the area throughout the MRC Vaudreuil-Soulanges region (c 1970-90).

Private pleasure gardens play a unique role in social history. Just as plant material takes root and flourishes, so do family rituals, traditions, stories, and events grow ever deeper within personal spaces and gardens.

On the lawn at the back of the Hudson’s History Garden is a mirrored love seat. It invites community engagement and a focus through which portraits may be taken and shared.