Courtesy Airlie Gardens

history continued

In 1999, the Corbett family sold the property to New Hanover County in the hopes that it would be preserved and restored for public visitation. The tremendous restoration project began almost immediately. In 2005, Hurricane Ophelia flooded portions of the garden, felled 53 trees, and damaged the historic rose arbor.

While only 67 acres remain of the original estate, 100,000 azaleas still adorn the property. The Azalea Collection is celebrated with the North Carolina Azalea Festival every spring. Restoration of the garden continues under the stewardship of New Hanover County and the Airlie Gardens’ Foundation Board.