Page Educational Gardens and Arboretum

Dedicated in 1995, the Page Educational Gardens and Arboretum offer visitors an opportunity to learn more about the growing habits and lore of plant materials which were part of late 19th century community life. The Page Educational Gardens were installed at the Page Smokehouse, which is the only structure remaining from the Page estate. The smokehouse was moved from its original site near the Cary Town Hall to its present location north of the Page-Walker Arts and History Center in 1991.

The plants in the gardens are herbs which have been cultivated since ancient times. Although many of the plants had multiple uses, the gardens are divided to feature those plants having primarily culinary, medicinal, industrial and ornamental uses. Each plant is labeled, and a brochure is available on the site which lists the common and botanical names, growing habits, descriptions and uses. The gardens are maintained by volunteers with technical assistance and limited funding provided by the Town of Cary.

The Page Arboretum encompasses the entire Cary Town Hall campus which is rich in vegetation, some of which dates back to the town's early beginnings. Bradford's Ordinary, built in 1780, and the subsequent additions which became the home of Frank Page, was located on the Cary Town Hall building site. The Page home burned in 1970. By taking a self-guided tour using the brochure that is provided at the Page Smokehouse, a visitor will see over fifty species of trees.

The Page Educational Gardens and Arboretum are open at all hours for self-guided tours. For group reservations with guided tours, or for volunteer opportunities, contact the Director of the Page-Walker Arts and History Center at 460-4963.

The Page Educational Gardens and Arboretum are sponsored by the Town of Cary and by the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel. Funds and support for the project were contributed by the Town of Cary, Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources of Cary, Cary Tree Commission, H.A.N.D.S., Cary Garden Center, Wishing Well Garden Club, Rotary Club of Cary-Page, Cary Garden Club, Russell Hills Garden Club, Savon Heights Garden Club, and Carolina Office Supply.

The Page family smokehouse

Copyright © 2002 Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, Inc., Cary, NC. All rights reserved.