"Brookgreen Gardens" Pawleys Island by Kentbein

Pawleys Island Travel Guide: 35 reviews and 64 photos

One of the Garden vistas - Pawleys Island

A well kept secret

BROOKGREEEN GARDENS
During the summer of 2003, my family and I visited some friends who had moved to Georgetown, South Carolina. During our stay, our friends took us to Brookgreen Gardens, a beautiful wildlife sanctuary and sculpture gardens set on 9100 acres of Carolina Lowcountry in what had been, prior to 1865, four rice plantations. I had never heard of the Gardens before, and after visiting this outstanding place, I am amazed that I have not heard of it. The facility is truly magnificent, with over five hundred sculptures from the greatest American sculptors, sighted throughout a meticulously kept landscape.

My friend Robert, and Philip.

Visitor center

When I returned to the DC area, I began asking friends if they had ever heard of Brookgreen. I found very few of my architectural and even landscape architect friends here have ever heard of this place. In fact, only one had, Harriett Ross. Harriett is one of my favorite co-workers and excellent architect. She is a native of South Carolina and is familiar with Brookgreen, although she has never been there. No other friends in my architectural/Landscape Architect community were familiar with Brookgreen.

Local inhabitant.

Brookgreen doesn’t seem to advertise itself, or at least, it does not advertise very well, especially considering that it is accredited by the American Association of Museums, The American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and is a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta . It is highly worth the visit to this spectacular sculpture garden though, if you are anywhere near Georgetown or Pawley’s Island South Carolina. It is truly an amazing and very well kept secret.

Pros and Cons

Pros:beautiful gardens and sculture exhibits.
Cons:Heat and mosquitoes in summer.

Last visit to Pawleys Island: Aug 2003
Intro Written Sep 22, 2003
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Reviews (17)

Time to wind up the tour. - Pawleys Island

Brookgreen sculpture Favorites (17)

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Brookgreen sculpture Favorites (17)

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Scenes around the gardens - Pawleys Island

Brookgreen sculpture Favorites (17)

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Brookgreen's sculpture Favorites (17)

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Comments (10)

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hunterV Aug 12, 2007 at 3:32 PM

Hi, Kent! It's a real gem to visit! Thanks for your splendid pictures!
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jelw May 13, 2006 at 8:13 AM

In S.C. figuring out what to do w/ my day. Pawleys Isl. and sculpture ...perfect! Thanks for the tips.
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kaloz Jan 22, 2004 at 7:05 PM

Brookgreen is awesome.
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skye820 Nov 27, 2003 at 10:27 AM

This place is now on my list! Wonderful page, Kent!!
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tessy Oct 18, 2003 at 4:15 PM

Wonderful garden, enjoyed the sculptures!
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ATLC Oct 17, 2003 at 12:37 PM

Delightful !
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ania70pl Oct 17, 2003 at 11:15 AM

Wonderful place and sculptures Kent.
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Helga67 Oct 17, 2003 at 10:01 AM

What a wonderful hidden gem. Great pics
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vesna04 Oct 9, 2003 at 10:53 AM

Hello Kent, lovely photos...
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MATIM Sep 27, 2003 at 1:46 PM

what a beautiful garden, beautiful pictures, I love the sculptures!