GeorgiaSmith-Gilbert Gardens is a 17-acre botanical garden in Kennesaw, Georgia, centered on the historic Hiram Butler House, an Italianate and Greek Revival brick dwelling built in 1880 by Hiram Anderson Butler, who during the Civil War aided in the pursuit of Andrews' Raiders in the Great Locomotive Chase. Robert R. Gilbert purchased the estate in 1970, and over roughly 35 years he and Richard L. Smith developed the extensive plantings and sculpture collection before the property was acquired by the City of Kennesaw. Today the garden holds thousands of plants, several rare in American cultivation, arranged in themed collections that include a bonsai display, camellia garden, rose garden, conifer collection, and a tea house with a waterfall. Some 31 sculptures are integrated throughout the grounds, blending horticulture and art.
Smith-gilbert Gardens
Georgia history, up close and curated.
Smith-gilbert Gardens is a museum in Kennesaw, Cobb County. It is one of 11 museums documented in Cobb County, among 377 historic sites cataloged across the county on Georgia Roam.
The site sits at 34.0115, -84.6298 near Kennesaw. The nearest cataloged historic site is Camp McDonald (historical marker), about 0.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include Pine Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery, Kennesaw City Cemetery, and The Andrews Raid.
This record is drawn from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
Smith-Gilbert Gardens is a 17-acre botanical garden in Kennesaw, Georgia, centered on the historic Hiram Butler House, an Italianate and Greek Revival brick dwelling built in 1880 by Hiram Anderson Butler, who during the Civil War aided in the pursuit of Andrews' Raiders in the Great Locomotive Chase. Robert R. Gilbert purchased the estate in 1970, and over roughly 35 years he and Richard L. Smith developed the extensive plantings and sculpture collection before the property was acquired by the City of Kennesaw. Today the garden holds thousands of plants, several rare in American cultivation, arranged in themed collections that include a bonsai display, camellia garden, rose garden, conifer collection, and a tea house with a waterfall. Some 31 sculptures are integrated throughout the grounds, blending horticulture and art.
Sources: smithgilbertgardens.comexploregeorgia.orgarbnet.org
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