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Bellingrath is built on memories, not just the memories of Mr. and Mrs. Bell and hunting and fishing guide Mr. Frank Woodard, but the memories of hundreds of thousands of visitors who have walked these grounds in the decades since we opened to the public. Memories of engagements, high school graduation pictures, s’mores at Magic Christmas in Lights, and so many other moments, large and small. The memories make up the place; they shape it.
My favorite part about working with our newly launched commemorative giving program is the opportunity to hear these stories, the way in which Bellingrath is meaningful to so many. It’s fitting that the first set of commemorative bricks will be placed in the Keyhole Garden behind the Summer House. The renovation of this historic structure is the first project in our recently unveiled Centennial Master Plan. It shows the quality of work we’ll do as we prepare the Historic Core for our next century.
We’ve lovingly restored the 19th century ironwork that the Bellingraths rescued from the Southern Hotel before it was torn down. Since that ironwork is aging and precious, we’re adding supports to bear the load of the roof. For their part, the new roof and timber frame ceiling reflect the elegance of the Bellingrath estate. After Magic Christmas, we’ll paint the ceiling and add a copper roof to mirror a similar roof on the Home. Then the structure will be ready for the next century.
Like so many home remodeling projects, the hard work at the Summer House made us realize that we needed to repair areas nearby that seemed out of place after the improvements. We love Winter Wonderland and the polar bears of Magic Christmas, but the Keyhole Garden requires some attention. It had been cut into the hillside, and the site should be regraded. We’ll retain the shape and have a blue stone path bordered by bricks, including the commemorative bricks. Annual blooms will bring a pop of color, as will the azaleas and camellias in the area.
In our master plan, the Keyhole Garden will return to its original role as the grand entryway to the Camellia Arboretum. Until Hurricane Frederic destroyed it, the arboretum, built as a memorial to Mr. Bellingrath, housed 800 varieties of camellias and some 2,000 plants. It was a signature garden for one of our core collections, and rebuilding it is a fitting way to honor Mr. Bell’s memory and prepare for our Centennial.
As Bellingrath moves into its next century, the commemorative bricks and memories of the past are leading us into the future, giving each of us an opportunity to make our mark on the Gardens that have touched our lives. If you’re interested in sharing the Bellingrath experience with future generations on the Gulf Coast, click on the link below for more information or to purchase a commemorative brick.
