While at Myrtle Beach a couple weeks ago, we visited
Brookgreen Gardens on two different days. Since one ticket is good for seven
days, we thought we'd go back and see what we missed on the first visit. We
still didn't see everything because the entire property is 9100 acres. The
gardens alone are massive. They provide a shuttle to the various parts of the estate. When we first arrived on both days it was raining. After a brief shopping spree in the gift shop, the rain stopped and we headed out into the gardens.
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| Pledge Allegiance sculpture in bronze by Glenna Goodacre
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Brookgreen Gardens was formed from four different
plantations that produced rice during the 17
th, 18
th, and
19
th centuries. Those plantations were The Oaks, Brookgreen,
Springfield and Laurel Hill. "In 1931 Archer and Anna Hyatt Huntington
established Brookgreen Gardens as a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation to preserve
the native flora and fauna and display objects of art within that natural
setting."
Mrs. Huntington was a sculptor and many of these amazing
sculptures were created by her. There are many from other sculptors as well. I
have never seen so many sculptures in one location. In fact, there are over
1400 by 350 artists. It is the largest collection in the country.
Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historical Landmark, and is accredited by the
American Association of Museums.
I have so many photos of the amazing sculptures and
beautiful gardens I had a difficult time choosing only a few. With some of these, I'm including a photo of the plaque under it so you can read about it.
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| There is also lots of wildlife here. This Canadian goose was one of four lounging about and grooming in the gardens near a pond. They seemed very docile, though I didn't try to pet them. LOL |
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| I love Spanish moss dripping from old oaks, and I loved this view over the pond. |
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| Diana of the Chase, by Anna Hyatt Huntington
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| I am a huge fan of waterlilies! :) |
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| Jaguar by Anna Hyatt Huntington
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| Click on the above photo to enlarge it so you can read it. It is entitled Pumas. (In most cases the v is a u.) There were many of these types of poems and quotes throughout the gardens. |
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| Live Oak Allee Garden was one of my favorites. These massive oaks are 300 years old and were planted in the 1700s when this was a rice plantation. |
I hope you enjoyed this visit to Brookgreen Gardens. I'll try to share more photos next time since I've only shown you a small portion of the photos I took.
Thanks!!
Vonda
www.vondasinclair.com
