Tuesday, Sep. 22, 2009

An Expedition into History:

Brookgreen Garden Excursions near Myrtle Beach

By Rebecca S. Homitz -

History buffs and families alike can benefit from a trip to Brookgreen Gardens. Founded in 1931 by Archer and Anna Huntington, this 9,120-acre preserve between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island includes a lush year-round garden, a substantial exhibit of large and small scale sculptures, a zoo, and a sundry combination of marshes and swamps.

Besides walking through the gardens, zoo, and sculpture exhibits, Brookgreen Gardens also offers four small excursions that take visitors further into the vast preserve of land. Whether riding on a pontoon boat exploring rice fields, traveling on the Trekker through the rough terrain, or learning about Joseph Alston, a former South Carolina governor, these excursions invite visitors into days gone by and offer fun for everyone.

Northern Trek: Laurel Hill Families and Fortunes

Climb on board the Trekker for a trip into the past. Visitors will ride in a customized all-terrain vehicle and make the bumpy climb into the northern end of the Brookgreen property. On this trek, visitors are guided to the highest bluff in the area for a breathtaking view of the Waccamaw River, explore a slave cemetery, observe an earthen fort from the Civil War, as well as a rice mill chimney - a vital and significant aspect of the rich rice-producing history of the Waccamaw Neck. Throughout the trip, a guide educates visitors about the deep history of families that once lived on the Laurel Hill Plantation, and delve into the various types of flora and creatures that reside on the property. This excursion runs daily at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., through Sept. 5 and at 11 a.m. through Nov. 29.

Southern Trek: The Oaks and the Alstons

Steep in history, this exploration into the past invites visitors into the historical life of the Allston/Alston family. A guide will retell the heartbreaking story of early South Carolina Governor Joseph Alston and wife Theodosia (daughter of Vice-President Aaron Burr), as well as their distinctive family history. Visitors will also be lead past the former location of the Oaks Plantation site, slave village, and stop for a visit at the Allston/Alston family cemetery. Throughout this trip aboard the Trekker, visitors learn the significance of U.S. 17, long leaf pine trees, as well as fun and interesting facts about local wildlife inhabiting the southern section of the territory. This excursion runs daily at 2 p.m. until Nov. 29.

The Oaks History and Nature Trail

On this half-mile excursion, visitors walk along a nature trail spread through the southern section of the preserve. Reading from freestanding interpretative panels, visitors can learn about the Allston/Alston family and the family's rich history attached to the property. A closer look can be had on this trail, which will take walkers through the archeological exhibits of the Oaks Plantation house, slavery village, and Allston/Alston cemetery. These excursions run on the hour from 12 - 3 p.m. daily until Nov. 29.

Creek Excursion

This expedition takes place on a 48-foot pontoon boat that travels the waterways of the Brookgreen Garden preserve. A guide narrates the significance of the rice cash crop, explains its toll on the landscape, provides details on the rice harvesting process, and points out various landmarks that still reflect the significance rice once had in the area. Along the trip, observe nature at its best. Whether alligators, birds, or various forms of fauna, families and history buffs should enjoy this exploration into the past. The Creek Excursion runs daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., through Sept. 5, 2009, with an additional 3 p.m. time run until Nov. 29.

The Creek Excursion, Northern Trek, and Southern Trek last around 45 minutes and are $7 per person in addition to regular garden admission. The Oaks History and Nature Trail is $3 in addition to garden admission, which is $12 for ages 13-64; $10 for ages 65 and older; $5 for ages 6-12; and free for ages 5 and younger.

Brookgreen Gardens is located at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet. Call 235-6000, or visit www.brookgreen.org for more information.