Dunaway Gardens to Re-Open to Public Sunday, April 7th

Being Brought to New Peak of Botanical Perfection

(Originally published in 1957 or 1963)
Once one of Georgia's far-famed tourist attractions, Newnan's beautiful Dunaway Gardens will reopen Sunday (April 7) after an interval of nearly two decades.
Closed to the public in the gas-rationing days of World War II, Dunaway Gardens is being brought to a new peak of botanical perfection by their founder, Mrs. Hatty Jane Sewell, and Mr. H. W. Moore, formerly of the Ida Cason Callaway Gardens.
Located on a towering ridge over looking a branch of the stories Chattahoochee River, Dunaway Gardens are filled with old-fashioned flowers, framed by massive oaks, beeches, magnolia, and dogwood. Landscape experts have called the "the most beautiful rock garden in the land."
To go with the peaceful beauty of its stream, pools and waterfalls, Dunaway is planning a summer program chock full of special events, according to Mr. Moore. A series of twilight concerts is being scheduled for the amphitheater. Little theatre groups are planning productions for the picturesque Patch Work Barn indoor theatre. Fashion shows, Garden tours, Flower arranging courses are also being included in the activities plan.
A touch of romance and history is added by the 'McIntosh Rock', located in the center of the Gardens. Stories passed through generations of the Sewell family place this rock as a meeting place for the Creek Indians while Georgia was still a "Crown Colony" and later as a tribal rock for "Chief McIntosh" who was responsible for the sale of western Georgia in 1824 to the then young United States.
Extensive plantings have been mafde during the winter in preparation for the Spring opening, in addition to the azaleas, daisies, pansies, tulips, iris, dogwood, the sweet william, and many other plans are now in flower.
Masses of ivy has woven itself among the rock work, along the terraces and in many cases hangs like veils from trees furnishing a dark green background for the flowers.
Of great charm and interest to the visitors is the aged rustic appearances of buildings throughout the Gardens with their low sloping roofs and soft colored mellow interiors. Of particular interest to theatre enthusiasts is the Patch Work Barn Theatre, its story book interior features old-fashioned patchwork seat covers and curtains, the curtain hangars are discarded garden tools, rakes, hoes, shovels, etc., seats are made from pine slabs with the bark exposed on the sides and backs. The large wagon wheel chandeliers are surrounded by framed patchwork suspended from the ceiling. This theatre througb the years has been used by both local and professional groups.
Physical improvements made throughout Dunaway's include new public lounges, parking facilities and drives.