Brookgreen Gardens opens Purdy Center with art and botanical exhibits

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Brookgreen Gardens has opened its Purdy Center, the most significant project in its campaign for the next generation.

The center houses more than 30,000 plants, which are displayed alongside fine art installations, and serves as a welcoming place for visitors to the historic gardens.

The $18 million building took two years and one week to build, said Vice President of Marketing Lauren Joseph.

Brookgreen Gardens CEO Page Kiniry said a large building will solve problems posed by the lack of indoor space, especially during special events.

“We really needed the large indoor space to accommodate the kind of groups that we have for nearly 300,000 visitors,” said Kiniry. “We’re expecting that this is gonna enable us to do more.”

Kiniry said she hopes the center will host educational events for schools and garden clubs and move popular outdoor events indoors when needed because of the weather.

The greenhouse space will also allow visitors with limited mobility a chance to see what the gardens offer without walking the entire campus.

“If someone is handicapped or elderly has trouble walking, you’ve got this little triangle where you can go to the Rosen galleries and see an amazing exhibit, you can come here and be immersed in plants and amazing exhibits,” said Joseph.

Joseph also said she expects the center will draw in more visitors during the hottest and coldest months of the year, when visits to the gardens typically drop

WMBF spoke with visitors on Monday who said they hope to see previous events like yoga or musical performances moved inside the center if the weather is poor.

Visitors also expressed appreciation for the center’s beauty.

“It was worth the wait. We came here when they were constructing it, and oh my god, it is just gorgeous,” said Mike Wiggins.

Theresa Gagan, who has been visiting the gardens for decades, shared similar sentiments.

“They’ve done this, and reimagined this in a way, and to wrap in generations to come,” said Theresa Gagan, who has been visiting the gardens for decades. “It’s just beautiful, and I’m so happy to live here now and see and be part of this.”

Click here to learn more about Brookgreen Gardens.

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