Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden facts for kids
The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to explore nature! It's located on about 380 acres (1.5 square kilometers) of pretty land in Belmont, North Carolina. A kind person named Daniel J. Stowe, who used to work in textiles, started this garden. Here, you can find lovely gardens, natural woodlands, sparkling fountains, and a special building called an Orchid Conservatory.
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A Long History of the Land
This garden land has a very old and interesting past. Long ago, Native Americans from the Catawba and Cherokee tribes lived here. They trapped animals, fished, hunted, and raised their families. Later, early European settlers also made this area their home. More recently, some parts of the garden's meadows were used for farm animals. However, much of the land is still covered by old forests with many different kinds of trees.
Famous Visitors from the Past
Even though the garden is quite new, it has a connection to history. A French plant expert named André Michaux traveled through this very land in 1795. Michaux discovered new plants in Gaston County, not far from where the garden is now. One of his discoveries was the Bigleaf Magnolia, a tree with really big leaves!
When the Garden Opened
More than 200 years after Michaux's visit, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden officially opened its doors. This happened on October 9, 1999. When it first opened, many people wanted to be a part of it. In fact, 5,297 people joined as founding members!
What You Can See Today
Today, when you visit, you'll see the impressive Robert Lee Stowe Visitor Pavilion. This building has light yellow walls and 20 white columns, topped with a shiny copper roof. Outside, there are about 10 acres (40,000 square meters) of beautiful gardens. You'll also find 12 sparkling fountains and a half-mile (800-meter) woodland trail to explore.
Garden Recognition
The garden has a team of employees and many dedicated volunteers who help it grow and become well-known. HGTV, a popular TV channel, even called it one of the nation’s "20 Great Gardens." Also, USA Today newspaper said it was one of the top 10 places in the country to "welcome fall with a flourish."
Future Plans for the Garden
The garden has exciting plans for the future! Over the next few decades, they hope to add even more cool things. These plans include a garden where you can learn about gardening at home, a special entrance for boats, a children's garden, and a beautiful rose garden. They also plan to add a restaurant and an Asian garden.
The Orchid Conservatory
The Orchid Conservatory is a very special part of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. It's the only public building in the area dedicated to showing off tropical plants. It opened in January 2008. Inside, you can see many different kinds of plants from tropical places all over the world. This helps visitors learn about these unique ecosystems. All year long, you'll find a wonderful selection of orchids on display. Every winter, the garden even hosts a special "Orchid Spectacular" event!
Learning and Fun for Everyone
The Orchid Conservatory helps make the garden a place you can visit all year round. It's not just for the general public, but also for schoolchildren from around the region. The garden offers many educational programs. These programs teach about plants, gardening, and how to protect nature. They are designed for different age groups, from kindergarten to fifth grade, and follow North Carolina's learning goals. The garden also has special events and classes throughout the year. You can learn about gardening, landscaping, pottery, and even cooking with herbs!
