On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had gone into effect on Jan 1, 1863, enslaved Africans in Texas, the farthest remote slave state, finally received notice about their freedom. Although slavery continued in two Union states, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. 

Brookgreen Gardens will award three community members the Huntington Exemplary Service Award at noon on June 15, 2024. Established to recognize individuals who have worked to improve race relations in South Carolina and Georgetown and Horry Counties in 2023-24, the award will be bestowed in honor of our founders, Anna and Archer Huntington. Nominations were received via the Brookgreen website and reviewed by a community-wide committee. 

There will also be a live performance by Gullah Storyteller Frank Murry, speaker sessions, an artist talk, and art activities on the importance of the holiday.   

One of Jimmy Brandt’s sections in the garden is the Old Kitchen area. Plantation kitchens were usually separate from the house in case a fire were to breakout in the kitchen. The gardens surrounding the kitchen were a mixture of medicinal plants, edible plants and flowers. Jimmy will show you how to incorporate herbs and vegetables along with the flowers in your own garden.

Limit 24. Included with Garden admission. **CLASS IS FULL**

Jared will talk about several species of foxes from around the world, then bring it back home to our native foxes in South Carolina! He will give you the individual history on the foxes in our zoo, and why they live at Brookgreen Gardens.

Limit 24. Included with Garden admission.  - CLASS IS FULL

Explore the wonders of nature through the ancient craft of weaving with locally sourced materials! From branches to grasses, and stems of flowers, uncover the beauty of your garden or backyard as you learn to create unique woven pieces. 

Across civilizations and throughout history, people have crafted textiles, clothing, and shelter using the resources readily available to them. This workshop celebrates this rich tradition of utilizing local materials, showcasing the diversity of forms born from cultural traditions and regional flora. 

During our time together, we'll focus on crafting three-dimensional wall hangings using handmade looms of varying sizes. Bring your own collected plant materials, and don't forget to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a refillable water bottle for a sustainable experience. 

Materials and Terms Guide

About the Speaker:  

Natalie C. Jones is a native of South Carolina. She loves to weave different hues, materials, and historical cultural elements to her work in a contemporary style. Natalie’s artwork has been on display in museums, galleries, and community art centers respectively. 

Join Brookgreen horticulturist Jason Flynn as he talks about his garden at Heron, Grouse and Loon. He will be talking about native plants and environmentally friendly gardening and design techniques.

Limit 10 -  Included with garden admission

CLASS IS FULL

Join Lucy Contreras, Brookgreen Gardens’ Assistant Manager of Plant Collections and Rosarian for an informative tour of the Poetry Garden. Within the last four years, Brookgreen Gardens has been building its rose collection within the walls of the Poetry Garden. Learn about the spray-free approach Brookgreen takes towards its roses and better understand how you can incorporate the “queen of flowers” into your home garden too!

Limit 10 - Included with Garden admission **CLASS IS FULL**

Join Don as he talks about the history of rice in SC, the current rice industry, and a year in the life of a rice farmer! He will discuss the issues and solutions for farmers trying to grow rice, and how White House overcame these issues to bring back rice cultivation, and Andy’s Foundation. 

• Plan to stay after the presentation to sample a taste of Andy’s delicious rice grown right here in Georgetown.

About the Speaker: 

White House Plantation, home of the only commercial rice fields in Georgetown County, is tucked away between the Black and Pee Dee rivers at the end of a narrow stretch of sandy road that stretches under a canopy of Spanish moss. 

The 92-acre farm, north of Georgetown, has been home to rice crops since the 1700s, and the land was once owned by a famous author. Now it is the home to Andy’s Charleston Gold. 

Don Quattlebaum owns and operates White House Farms, which markets its produce under the Andy’s Charleston Gold - White House Farms brand locally. The rice is available at Keepsakes and other local businesses, as well as from the farm website, whitehousefarms.com. Quattlebaum earned a degree in building construction before launching a successful entrepreneurial career. 

Two more evenings added!!

Thursday, August 22nd | Friday, August 23rd

Summer Light & Garden Admission Combo:

To take advantage of a fantastic deal, click here and enjoy discounted admission tickets to explore Brookgreen Gardens during daylight hours. This discount will be exclusively available to those purchasing Summer Light: Art by Night tickets and will be automatically applied when both event tickets are added to your cart. With this special offer, you can immerse yourself in the breathtaking gardens by day and revel in the captivating Summer Light: Art by Night exhibit come evening. Don't let this chance slip away to indulge in a day and night filled with beauty and art at Brookgreen Gardens

Summer Light: Art by Night is an opportunity to explore and experience the historic Brookgreen Gardens landscapes on summer evenings. Multiple installations throughout the sculpture garden feature a variety of techniques that light up the Gardens. 

Walking through the heart of the sculpture garden, be mesmerized by the magic of Brookgreen Gardens after dark. Experience the sound and lights in Oak Allee and Beyond the Garden Wall, the exquisite Conway Glass display, upcycled wine bottles hanging from the treetops, our bee topiary, and so much more.

The event begins June 5 and continues Wednesdays and Saturdays until Aug. 24. Various bands will perform live music each night throughout the summer. 

The Gardens will close for general admission at 5 p.m. Gates will reopen at 6:00 PM for Summer Light. A separate ticket is needed for the day and evening, and a discount is available if you purchase both simultaneously. 

A variety of food and beverage options will be available.

Austin's Harvest Restaurant will be open. Make Reservations here! You must purchase a ticket to Summer Light to dine at Austin's in the evening.

Old Kitchen will serve snacks and refreshments.

Food Trucks:

Entertainment:

Entertainment is subject to change without notice.

Reminder:
All events at Brookgreen Gardens are fund-raising events, and tickets are non-refundable. We appreciate your support of Brookgreen Gardens!
Unused tickets will be considered a donation to Brookgreen Gardens, a registered 501(c)3 charitable organization.  Should you need to change the date on your ticket, please visit https://support.showclix.com/s/ or call 1-844-271-3410.   

A note about the weather - in our area, weather can be very localized. It could be a downpour in Myrtle Beach or Georgetown and beautiful weather at Brookgreen Gardens. Pop-up thunderstorms are often very short and leave us with cooler, lovely weather for the evening.

If we have a cancellation or closure due to dangerous conditions, it will be posted on the alert message at the top of the website. 

If you need to change the date on your tickets, go to the Showclix website for self-service exchanges. Unscanned tickets can also be exchanged for a different date. 

Spend the morning with Tom Francis, Brookgreen Gardens beekeeper, also locally known as the Bee Preacher.  Tom will discuss aspects of his involvement with honeybees.  But don’t be fooled, he’s not just someone who oversees a few bee hives; there has been much more to it!  Celebrate World Bee Day with Tom’s passionate sermon about all he’s done about these amazing little creatures. 

About the Speaker: 

After 38 years in telecommunications with Verizon, Tom Francis got into beekeeping.  Once his backyard operation, Bees By the Sea, outgrew its home, Tom, was given permission to bring some of his beehives here to Brookgreen, where he has been a member for over 30 years. Tom manages the Observation hive at Brookgreen as well as spreading the Good News about bees through area lectures, special appearances, interviews, and consultations. 

Come explore the fascinating life cycle of South Carolina’s state reptile, the loggerhead sea turtle! Learn why they dig in the dark, what they eat, and why they are a threatened species. We will also sneak a peek into the lives of the other species of sea turtles that have nested at Huntington Beach State Park, including leatherbacks, Kemp’s ridleys, and greens. Everyone will leave with helpful tips on how we can all ensure these amazing animals are around for generations to come. 

About the Speaker: 

A native of South Carolina, Mike Walker received his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology at the University of South Carolina. He has occupied various positions with the South Carolina State Park System and is currently an Interpretive Park Ranger for Huntington Beach State Park. He oversees educational programs and resource management. Mike’s continuous pursuit of preserving and promoting South Carolina’s natural resources has led to the most satisfying career he could ask for.