Hopelands Gardens storm damage: How bad is it?

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF)- Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on everything in the CSRA, including many historic properties. So how did the historic Hopelands Gardens property in Aiken fare during the storm?

Hopelands Gardens is a beloved public space where people take walks, host events, and take prom and graduation photos. For many, catastrophic damage to the property would be devastating.

Hopelands Gardens did sustain some damage, but not as much as it could have. Around 15 or so trees fell, but most of them were pines and luckily the more famous ones are still standing.

The oak allée, a popular spot for photographers at the back of the property, is still in tact.
So is the Deodar cedar, the most expensive tree in Aiken valued at $70,000.

The structures on the property, including the dollhouse are fine too.

Unfortunately, part of the historic brick serpentine wall sustained major damage and will need to be replaced.

“It’s heartbreaking. The serpentine wall goes back to, we believe, the McGee family who made it. And it is fragile right now. And we are in the process through the CPST to re-point it, to fix it up. So I’m not surprised places of it fell down,” explained Holly Woltz, president of “Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch.”

Concerns over the damage have some taking to social media with questions about whether the popular tradition, “Christmas at Hopelands” will happen this year.

“And it will be closed for weeks. I don’t know for how long, but I’ve been told that the Christmas lighting and the doll house with the displays and the concerts in the amphitheater area will be going on,” said Woltz.

Woltz and the city are working on plans for storm clean up. But for now the property is closed to the public until further notice.

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