Charlotte treasure enters its second century honoring a remarkable legacy and inspiring new generations to slow down, learn, and connect with nature
CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 12, 2026 — For 100 years, Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary has offered Charlotte residents and visitors a place to slow down, look closer at nature, and connect with one another. In 2027, the beloved garden sanctuary in historic Myers Park will celebrate its centennial, providing an opportunity to honor its legacy and look ahead to the future.
Throughout the centennial year, Wing Haven will invite the community to celebrate through special programs, stories, and events to explore the people, ideas, and natural world that have defined it for a century. These celebratory moments will demonstrate how a garden can be more than a beautiful place, it can be a sanctuary, a classroom, a community, and forever a source of inspiration.
"Wing Haven’s centennial is both a celebration of an extraordinary legacy and an invitation to look forward,” said Barrett Ranson Shannonhouse, executive director of Wing Haven. “As Charlotte continues to grow and change, that sense of connection and discovery feels more important than ever.”
That spirit of connection and discovery has been at the heart of Wing Haven from the beginning. In 1927, Elizabeth and Edwin "Eddie" Clarkson began creating a garden at their home on Ridgewood Avenue, one designed not only for plants, but as a welcoming habitat for birds and wildlife, and a peaceful refuge for visitors. A century later, that vision has grown into three public gardens that preserve an important piece of Charlotte’s history while connecting new generations with nature, learning, and one another.
The Centennial milestone offers Wing Haven an opportunity to refocus its mission and vision for the century ahead, while building on the principles that have guided the organization and responding to the needs of a growing community. Its mission is clear: preserving gardens, inspiring learning, and connecting people with nature. The vision is equally focused: to inspire passion for the natural world through preservation and education.
Wing Haven's story has always been about community. Volunteers, members, donors, educators, neighbors, and community partners have helped preserve the gardens, share their lessons and make them accessible to others. That tradition of participation remains essential as Wing Haven enters its next century. The centennial will celebrate not simply what has been preserved, but the community that has made that preservation possible.
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped shape and sustain Wing Haven through the generations, and we look forward to carrying that legacy into the century ahead,” Shannonhouse says.
As Wing Haven begins its second century, it carries forward the responsibility to preserve this unique Charlotte treasure while continuing to make its gardens and their lessons meaningful for generations to come.
"Wing Haven’s centennial is both a celebration of an extraordinary legacy and an invitation to look forward,” said Barrett Ranson Shannonhouse, executive director of Wing Haven. “As Charlotte continues to grow and change, that sense of connection and discovery feels more important than ever.”
That spirit of connection and discovery has been at the heart of Wing Haven from the beginning. In 1927, Elizabeth and Edwin "Eddie" Clarkson began creating a garden at their home on Ridgewood Avenue, one designed not only for plants, but as a welcoming habitat for birds and wildlife, and a peaceful refuge for visitors. A century later, that vision has grown into three public gardens that preserve an important piece of Charlotte’s history while connecting new generations with nature, learning, and one another.
The Centennial milestone offers Wing Haven an opportunity to refocus its mission and vision for the century ahead, while building on the principles that have guided the organization and responding to the needs of a growing community. Its mission is clear: preserving gardens, inspiring learning, and connecting people with nature. The vision is equally focused: to inspire passion for the natural world through preservation and education.
Wing Haven's story has always been about community. Volunteers, members, donors, educators, neighbors, and community partners have helped preserve the gardens, share their lessons and make them accessible to others. That tradition of participation remains essential as Wing Haven enters its next century. The centennial will celebrate not simply what has been preserved, but the community that has made that preservation possible.
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped shape and sustain Wing Haven through the generations, and we look forward to carrying that legacy into the century ahead,” Shannonhouse says.
As Wing Haven begins its second century, it carries forward the responsibility to preserve this unique Charlotte treasure while continuing to make its gardens and their lessons meaningful for generations to come.
About Wing Haven
Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study through its three public gardens: Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, and the SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden. Together, the gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn while advancing Wing Haven’s mission of preserving gardens, inspiring learning, and connecting people with nature. Learn more about Wing Haven and Happenings during the Centennial at winghavengardens.org.
Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study through its three public gardens: Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, and the SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden. Together, the gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn while advancing Wing Haven’s mission of preserving gardens, inspiring learning, and connecting people with nature. Learn more about Wing Haven and Happenings during the Centennial at winghavengardens.org.
Media Contact
Emily Moody
emily@ascentcomms.com
478-718-2592
Emily Moody
emily@ascentcomms.com
478-718-2592
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