About the Smith-Gilbert Gardens
The City of Kennesaw's Smith-Gilbert Gardens is an example of civic intervention to protect and preserve a unique green space for the future benefit of the citizens of the city and inhabitants of Cobb County as well as the State of Georgia and the Southeast.
In 2005, the City purchased the 13 acre property of Dr. Robert Gilbert, who acquired it in 1970. The property at that time consisted of a historic house and the surrounding undeveloped woodland.
The House
The 1840s-50s era Roberts' Plantation home
The mid-19th century plantation home was built by members of the Roberts' family, early settlers of the land which has become Cobb County. The Roberts' family owned a cotton plantation of over 4,500 acres, including much of the fertile valley that is home to McCollum airport and extending up to the rise of Kennesaw Mountain. The house consists of 12" thick brick walls, hand-made from local red clay.
The house and surrounding land was a working farm (although reduced in acreage) well into the 20th century. Improvements in the mid 50s included indoor plumbing and electricity, as well as the current Greek revival façade. The original working plantation façade consisted of a very simple shed roof, traces of which can still be seen in the brick of the house front.
The house had stood derelict for seven years when Dr. Gilbert acquired the property. He embarked upon a five year historic room-by-room restoration. Today, the walls consist of lath plaster and the ceilings are bead board. Period trim, lighting fixtures, and paint colors are found throughout. Five working fire places contribute to the historic ambience.
The house currently houses the offices of the Gardens.
The Gardens
Spring blooming flowers border the Cedar Meadow
The gardens consist of an extensive collection of exotic and unusual plants in a naturalistic setting. The majority of the plants are imports from the Far East with native species intermingled. Dr. Gilbert had an intense interest in the Japanese culture and its relationship to landscape gardening. Following the Japanese model, he sought not to dominate nature, but to enhance it. The garden can be likened to a Japanese stroll garden with new views and hidden delights to be found at every turn in every season. Hints of Asian design principles can be found throughout the Gardens.
The sunny Cedar Meadow is the central focus of the garden and also the home to the sun-loving rose garden. Arranged roughly in a circle around this area are the many individual garden areas:
- A dwarf conifer garden featuring conifers that will grow successfully in the Southeast.
- A beautiful and long-blooming perennial border visible from the house.
- A shady woodland garden walk that provides sanctuary for a quiet stroll.
- A rock garden, completely foreign to the natural geology of Georgia, but demonstrating plants not commonly grown in this area.
- A refreshing and attractive waterfall and pond area.
- And finally, the very successful Plant-A-Row for the Hungry Vegetable Garden.
The Sculpture
One of the signature sculptures in the garden.
In addition to gardening, bird watching, and travel, Dr. Gilbert was intensely interested in many aspects of the fine arts. Early on, he began to accent his garden with pieces of contemporary art. Each piece was thoughtfully placed to provide an accent and focal point. Although sculpture pieces are found throughout the garden, SGG is not a "sculpture garden." Our cultures serve to enhance but never dominate the natural beauty of the site.