MURRELLS INLET - Brookgreen Gardens today celebrated the grand opening of the Purdy Center, its new Welcome Center and Conservatory Gardens, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, supporters, and guests. The opening marks a transformative moment in Brookgreen’s nearly 95-year history and represents the signature project of the organization’s Campaign for the Next Generation.
The Purdy Center officially opens a new chapter for Brookgreen Gardens, enhancing the visitor experience while expanding opportunities for education, horticulture, art, and community engagement. Designed by Craig Gauldin Davis PBK Architects and constructed by Dargan Construction, the design and construction materials blend seamlessly with the existing structures and give homage to Archer Huntington’s Moorish design of Atalaya. The landscape design was provided by Enviromental Concepts.
“Today’s opening of the Purdy Center represents both an investment in Brookgreen’s future and a celebration of its enduring mission,” said Page Kiniry, President & CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. “This space allows us to welcome visitors in a way that is inspiring, accessible, and reflective of the extraordinary art, history, and natural beauty that define Brookgreen.”
As Brookgreen’s new front door, the Purdy Center offers a modern, welcoming entry point for guests from around the world. The facility significantly enhances visitor flow and amenities while expanding Brookgreen’s capacity for educational programming, exhibitions, and special events. Guests will begin their visit in the Brittain Welcome Atrium, where they can plan their adventure and enjoy a cup of Brookgreen Signature Roast Coffee from the new Brookgreen Coffee Bar.
At the heart of the Purdy Center is the Conservatory Great Hall, a light-filled, climate-controlled indoor garden designed for year-round enjoyment. The Great Hall features:
• A dramatic, floor-to-ceiling tropical Green Wall
• Rotating seasonal and botanical displays, including orchids
• Skylights and clerestory windows that flood the space with natural light
The indoor Conservatory is complemented by thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces, including a landscaped courtyard, veranda, wetlands garden, and the Gaia Walk, all inspired by the original design philosophy of Brookgreen’s founders.
The grand opening also unveiled several new artistic and horticultural features within the Purdy Center. A garden maquette created by Kentucky-based Applied Imagination — a family-owned company nationally recognized for immersive garden and railway installations — was introduced during the ceremony.
New sculpture installations now on view in the Conservatory include Gaia by Dora Natella, CEO by Glenna Goodacre, and Heron by Babette Bloch, further integrating Brookgreen’s renowned sculpture collection into the Conservatory setting. The Purdy Center will also feature 12 sculptures by Paul Howard Manship from his 1932 Bird Series, which will be on display in the Conservatory Great Hall. A part of the Brookgreen collection since 1935, this will mark the first time the series has been displayed together.
The Purdy Center is the cornerstone of the Campaign for the Next Generation, a comprehensive initiative to strengthen and expand Brookgreen’s impact for decades to come. Other Campaign accomplishments include; The Rosen Galleries, The Leonard Pavilion, The Simpson Art Center, a state of the art sculpture studio and sculpture preservation lab, expanded interpretation of Lowcountry history, and enhancements to the Lowcountry Zoo, including a new entrance garden and Red Wolf Ridge, a habitat for critically endangered red wolves.
With the opening of the Purdy Center, Brookgreen Gardens is poised to welcome future generations with expanded resources, innovative programming, and immersive experiences that connect visitors to art, nature, and history year-round.