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Since 1982, the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds has operated the Hamilton Rhododendron Garden for the enjoyment of Towns County residents and our tourism visitors. Over the past 30 years, this garden has become a focal point for our county and northeast Georgia. To support efforts to raise revenue for improvements to the Garden, we have restored the original greenhouses built over 30 years ago and added our new Hamilton Garden Shop. Rows of rhododendron, locally grown annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, as well as a variety of greenhouse-grown flowers will surely invite you to purchase a plant to help save the Garden. All the profit from the sale of any plant will go toward restoration and new garden projects.
The Hamilton Garden recognized as one of only six public Rhododendron Gardens in the United States and received the honor of a small grant from the American Rhododendron Society this year. The grant is based on a proposal to restore the original greenhouses and to start restoration on the garden. |
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The goal with the shop is to draw more visitors to the garden area throughout the year while at the same time providing an educational experience. The Garden Shop Manager, Catherine Hansen, and the Garden Curator, Paul Hansen, are more than happy to give visitors an historical walk-through of Fred Hamilton’s original quest and to share their knowledge of just what it took to establish this “Jewel in the Mountains”. Guided Group Tours and Cart Tours are available. Catherine and Paul have a way of making horticulture and history really come together!
The newly restored Garden Shop and Greenhouse is located near the entrance to the Hamilton Gardens, in the upper parking level of the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Just follow the sidewalk back to the sound of bluegrass music playing through the outdoor speakers, fountains running and hanging baskets full of color everywhere.
The Shop is open Wednesday through Saturday – 9 am to 3pm. It will close for the season at the end of the Fall Festival, October 21st. Look for us weekly at the Farmer's Market held across from the fairgrounds each Saturday.
The Hamilton Garden is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and we truly appreciate the community supporting our efforts to help restore and maintain the Garden, our local treasure. All gifts are tax deductible. For more information on volunteering or donating to the Hamilton Gardens, please call the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds at (706) 896-4191. |
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