Historic Cannon Ball House Garden Restoration in Springfield: Ivy's Eagle Project

Union County Life is reporting that the herb garden at Springfield’s Cannon Ball House has been restored as an Eagle Scout project. The work returned the backyard to a historically accurate 18th century herb garden and rehabilitated its gravel pathways.

Ivy Paschkes, a junior at Jonathan Dayton High School and a member of Troop 19 in Short Hills, chose the project because she is interested in history and herbalism. She wanted the project to preserve local history, beautify the space, and teach the community about Colonial life and herbal medicine. The work ran from August through October 2026, during the year of America’s 250th birthday.

Paschkes started by gathering ideas, researching Colonial gardening, writing supply lists, and building an action plan. She designed and handed out flyers, advertised in local newspapers and on social media, recruited volunteers, and raised funds. She borrowed or bought the supplies and equipment the crew needed.

The crew worked over three Saturdays, with a different set of tasks each day. The work included spraying a vinegar mix to kill weeds on the pathways, weeding the garden bed, and removing garden waste. The crew also amended the soil, planted, watered, and mulched the beds. Volunteers cut and placed cardboard on the pathways and added gravel to frame the garden and create comfortable walkways.

The project drew 16 kids and 5 adult volunteers, along with several financial donors.

The Springfield N.J. Historical Society manages the house and grounds. It called the project “a gift to all our visitors.” Paschkes also plans to create a pamphlet that explains how herbs were used in Colonial times.

Cannon Ball House is at 126 Morris Ave. More information is available at ucnj.org/4c.

For more Springfield news, events, and local updates, visit Union County Life at unioncountylife.com.

FAQ

Who restored the Cannon Ball House herb garden?
Ivy Paschkes, a junior at Jonathan Dayton High School, led the restoration as her Eagle Scout project. She is a member of Troop 19 in Short Hills.

Where is the Cannon Ball House?
The Cannon Ball House is at 126 Morris Ave. in Springfield. The Springfield N.J. Historical Society manages the house and grounds.

What was restored in the garden?
The project returned the backyard to a historically accurate 18th century herb garden and rehabilitated its gravel pathways.

How can I learn more about the garden?
More information is available at ucnj.org/4c. Paschkes also plans to create a pamphlet about how herbs were used in Colonial times.