The landscape of Montrose originates from the ninteenth century, but it is the noted plantswoman and author, Nancy Goodwin, who is most responsible for this garden’s influential role in expanding the palette of plants for Southern gardens and celebrating autumn as a gardening season. The Garden Conservancy has made its resources available for planning the future of this historic place as a horticultural resource for all.
Historical Timeline
1842: The gardens on the site are planted by William Alexander Graham and his wife, Susan Washington Graham, who consulted Thomas Paxton, landscape gardener for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on the layout of gardens and planting of trees. William Alexander Graham served North Carolina as both Governor and Senator and was Secretary of the Navy under President Millard Fillmore. Montrose becomes the home to three generations of the Graham family
1890: The current main house is built on the site of two houses previously destroyed by fire. Several of the original outbuildings from the 1840s are still in place today, including William Alexander Graham's law office, the kitchen, the smokehouse and the barn
1977: The 61-acre property is bought by Nancy Goodwin and her husband, Craufurd, professor of economics at Duke University, who not only maintain the gardens but greatly expand the plantings
1984: Nancy Goodwin begins operating the Montrose Nursery on the site. The New York Times calls it "one of the best small mail-order sources of rare and unusual plants in the country"
1993: Mrs. Goodwin closes the nursery to devote herself full-time to her gardens
2001: Montrose is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Goodwins place a conservation easement on 50 acres of the property, including forested land along the Eno River, with the Triangle Land Conservancy
2003: The Garden Conservancy designates Montrose a Preservation Project and begins to assist the Goodwins in planning its preservation as a public garden and house museum
2005: Duke University Press publishes Nancy Goodwin's chronicle of a year in her gardens, Montrose Life in a Garden. In it she writes, "This place is my life and its gardens my obsession."
Open
Year round by appointment only.
Admission and Tours
$10 adult; $5 children 6-12; children under 6 and Garden Conservancy members free.
Specially arranged tours have a minimum fee of $60 for fewer than 6 people; $10 per person for 6 or more.
Guided tours by appointment only on Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Tours for larger groups may be arranged at other times.
For more information or reservations, please call 919.732.7787 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Parking
Park next door at the Cameron Park School for large groups; park at Montrose for small tours.
Directions
The garden is located at 320 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278.
From I-85 take Exit 164 and go north into Hillsborough. Turn right onto East King Street. At the stop sign bear left up the hill onto St. Mary’s Road (not sharp left). On the right you will pass St. Matthew’s Church and Cameron Park Elementary School. Montrose is just past the school on the right. There are large red brick gate posts with a plaque on the right one that reads “Montrose 320.”
From I-40 take Exit 261 for Hillsborough. Go north toward Hillsborough and pass under I-85. Proceed as directed above.