to Reopen to the Public on Saturday, September 7

Murrells Inlet, S.C., September 6, 2019 - Brookgreen Gardens fared well as Hurricane Dorian skirted the coast of on September 5. Staff is back in the gardens this morning, cleaning up minor storm debris and preparing for a 9:30 a.m. opening on Saturday, September 7.

“We are thinking of all those that sustained damage from Hurricane Dorian,” said Page Kiniry, President and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens. “Fortunately, we did not take a direct hit from Hurricane Dorian and are working to get Brookgreen Gardens open as soon as possible, so the people who have gone through so much stress in the last week can come to Brookgreen for rest and peace after the storm.”

Beginning Sunday, September 8, Brookgreen will recognize First Responder Week, by offering free admission to Horry and Georgetown Counties’ police, sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, electric company linemen and active duty military families.

“We were already planning to recognize our first responders next week, and after their heroic efforts during our brush with another hurricane, we hope they will take a break and come visit the gardens,” continued Kiniry.

Events that have been postponed due to the storm follow: • An Evening with Neil Diamond Tribute Concert, originally scheduled for September 5 – 8, has been rescheduled for September 26 – 29. • The African American Fiber Art Traveling Exhibition BLACK GOLD, which was scheduled to open on Saturday, September 7, will now open on Saturday, September 14. • The daily Oaks Excursion will not be available until trails through the preserve areas can be accessed and dry out from the heavy rain.

About Brookgreen Gardens Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is located on U.S. 17 between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and is open to the public daily. Founded in 1931 by and Archer Huntington, Brookgreen is home to the largest and most significant collection of American Figurative in the county, and continues as a leader in sculpture conservation, environmental conservation, and protection of the plants, animals, and history of the South Carolina Lowcountry. For more information, visit our web site at www.brookgreen.org or call 843-235- 6000.

### Media Contacts Lou Hammond Group Lauren Van Liew/Rachael Moss [email protected]/[email protected] (843) 410-4688/(843) 628-3721