Explore the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, Hopelands Gardens, and Rye Patch
The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum
The Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the great tradition of Thoroughbred horse racing and the vital role that Aiken has played in horse racing history. Forty champion Thoroughbreds have trained at the famed Aiken Training Track, and each has been immortalized in the Hall of Fame. Featured in the museum are photos, trophies and other memorabilia that highlight the careers of these famous racehorses. Special exhibits and events happen throughout the year. Learn more by visiting the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museumwebsite.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Friday from 2 pm – 5 pm
Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday from 2 pm – 5 pm
Closed on Mondays and major holidays.
The Doll House
The Doll House at Hopelands Gardens is the home of the Aiken Council of Garden Clubs. It is open to the public on Sundays for visits from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., spring, summer, and fall, as well as during the evenings of Christmas in Hopelands. The Doll House contains antique toys and furniture. The building is an example of a one-room, wood frame, prefabricated modular structure designed by the Hodgson Company in 1903 and ordered through the mail.
Beside the Doll House is a Little Free Library. In the back of the Doll House is a Blue Star marker, which memorializes the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed services. Surrounding the courtyard in front of the Doll House is a Camellia garden.
The Aiken Council of Garden Clubs has been involved with Hopelands Gardens since the late 1970s. They maintain the Doll House and the plants and flowers surrounding it.
Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage
The site for spring and summer concerts and weddings, the Roland H. Windham Performing Arts Stage sits across a lake in Hopelands Gardens. It was designed specially to resemble the historic buildings and equestrian theme of Hopelands. The earlier Performance Arts Isle, now the Performing Arts Stage, was part of the original 1974 plans for Hopelands to draw the community together for special events.
Highlights
The Bird and Butterfly Garden
A short walk south of Dupree Place parking lot, the Bird and Butterfly Garden has feeding stations, a bird bath, and plants attracting birds and butterflies. A gazebo and benches offer spots to observe. Donated by Edward S. Hallman, it’s dedicated in memory of Walter C. Plunkett, Jr.
Bluebird Houses
Bluebird nest boxes in Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch are part of South Carolina’s Bluebird Trail. Positioned for ideal bird habitat, they offer enjoyment for visitors. Monitored by South Carolina Bluebird Society volunteers, activity is recorded weekly for Cornell’s research database.
Camellia Trail Gardens
Hopelands Gardens is part of The American Camellia Trail by the American Camellia Society. Camellias, planted by Hope Goddard Iselin since the 1940s, include 80 plants with 60 varieties and 20 cultivars. The Aiken Camellia Society donated many along Dupree Place. More details are on the Society’s website.
Iselin and McNair Sculptures
Adjacent to the walkway near a reflecting pool is a bronze bust of Hope Goddard Iselin, whose home became Hopelands Gardens. Nearby is a bronze bas-relief of James D. McNair, first President of Friends of Hopelands. Sculpted by Maria Kirby-Smith, both were donated in his memory.
Joan B. Tower Gazebo
The Joan B. Tower Gazebo, an 18th-century Italian design rotunda, stands by the lake. Its model was found in Florida.
Its elegant structure makes it a favorite spot for photography, attracting visitors who appreciate its historic and aesthetic charm.
The Labyrinth
The Labyrinth in Hopelands is an octagonal brick path, 45 feet in diameter, with a polished granite center. This spiritual pathway is patterned after a 13th century design at Amiens Cathedral, France, and offers a meditative walk, following the centuries-long tradition of labyrinths.
Oak Allée
Pet Cemetary
Hope Iselin, renowned in Thoroughbred horse racing, cherished small animals. Near Hopelands’ reflecting pools on Whiskey Road lies her pet cemetery, where six beloved dogs find eternal rest, a touching tribute to her enduring love and compassion for animals of all sizes.
Promenade Overlook – Reflecting Pool
A frequent setting for weddings, the Promenade Overlook is a site from which to view the expanse of the Gardens – the large Oaks and huge Magnolias. The reflecting pools, which lead to the Overlook, were built on the foundation of the Hopelands’ residence. These areas were designed by SC landscape architect Robert Marvin.
Sand Patios
Sand patios, extending from the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum to the reflecting pools, lie beneath the shade of a majestic Oak and Deodar Cedar. Outdoor tables and chairs invite visitors to enjoy a leisurely picnic amidst the serene beauty of Hopelands Gardens.
Water Rill
A water rill, originating near the serpentine wall on Whiskey Road, flows under a wooden bridge towards the Wetlands, as envisioned by landscape architect Robert Marvin in 1974. This tranquil feature adds to the scenic allure of Hopelands Gardens, enriching the visitor’s experience with its soothing presence.
Wetlands
The Wetlands, nestled between Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch, act as a natural filtration system. They collect and filter street runoff in a pond, supplying water to the gardens’ lakes. Home to turtles, fish, Irises, and Bald Cypress, a wooden bridge offers a scenic view.
