Library Exhibits & Notes

Of Worcester County Soil: Luther Burbank and His Plants

There was a time when the name Luther Burbank was as well-known as that of Thomas Edison or Henry Ford. Today, with the possible exception of the residents of Lancaster, Mass., and Sonoma County, Calif., he’s all but forgotten.

This new exhibit in the Library will raise awareness about the one-time plant breeder, especially since he was born and bred some 10 miles from Tower Hill. Of Worcester County Soil:  Luther Burbank and His Plants showcases unique holdings from our archives, including personal letters, pictures and postcards signed “Cousin Luther” to his cousin Marion Ross, who lived in Worcester. We also have a copy of an early nursery catalog, New Creations in Fruits and Flowers from June 1893, numerous clippings from various Burbank Centennial celebrations in 1949, and many books and articles by and about him.

Luther Burbank (1849-1926) was born in Lancaster and showed an early interest in gardening, nature and experimentation. In his early twenties he developed a blight-resistant potato and used the earnings from it to move to Santa Rosa, California. He’s credited with introducing over 800 new varieties of plants including the Shasta Daisy, Burbank Rose, and Fire Poppy to name a very few.

Though he only returned to Massachusetts for a couple short visits, he often recalled a happy childhood roaming around Mt. Wachusett and the environs. The Burbank exhibit will remain up through June 2012; please be sure to stop by for a look.