Rhododendron State Park

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The Rhododendron State Park is located west of Fitzwilliam in Cheshire County in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The 11- km ² State Park is named after the 6.5 -acre natural occurrence of Rhododendron maximum.

Since 1982, the site is registered as a National Natural Landmark. That there also contained 200 year old homestead Old Patch Place was in 1980 entered into the National Register of Historic Places. The building and its former residents play a central role in the development of the park. Was built in the farmhouse 1790-1816 by Samuel Patch, whose family used it until 1841. After several changes of ownership Stephen Follansbee acquired the property in 1885 to the Rhododendron site for commercial use with the sale of plants, twigs, and especially bottled water. 1901 had the new owner Levi Fuller grubbing plans. Mary Lee Ware stepped in and acquired the land and transferred it to the condition to preserve the forest and Rododenronbestand for the public and for ever to the Appalachian Mountain Club. Similarly, no shrubs should be removed and no ax to be used. With one exception, when cleaning up after the damage caused by a hurricane in 1938, these requirements have been complied with. 1947, the ownership of New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation has been transferred and set up a state park.

When Old Patch Place an historic herb garden ( Colonial Herb Garden ) was created, to be planted in the medicinal plants and culinary herbs and spices. In this botanical garden, the plants and their effective items will be declared as such and characterized. Here grow, among other things angelica, Zieste, cumin, comfrey, pennyroyal, Elecampane, Rutaceae, thyme, pennyroyal, wormwood, lavender, sage, tarragon, rosemary, lady's mantle, coltsfoot, bee balm, hops, tansy, Canadian bloodroot, Spearmint, feverfew, mountain savory, hyssop, lovage, chives, oregano, valerian, acetic Rose, asters and thimbles.

The opening times of the park are limited, it is open from mid-May to November each sunrise to sunset. The park is crossed several hiking trails, a wildflower trail and a section of the 180- km long Metacomet - Monadnock Trail.