The Kampong National Tropical Botanical Garden
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The
Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Garden
Located
on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, it contains a fascinating array of
tropical fruit cultivars and flowering trees.
In 1916
Dr. David Fairchild, a renowned explorer/horticulturist for whom Fairchild Tropical
Garden was named, and his wife Marian, daughter of Alexander Graham Bell, purchased
the property and named it The Kampong - a Malay word for a village, or a cluster
of dwellings for an extended family. Some of the first plantings there came
from Indo-Malaysia, brought there by Dr. Fairchild, who introduced these species
to the United States.
In 1928
the Fairchilds built a house (designed by Edward Clarence Dean) that still exists
within the gardens, and made it their permanent home after David Fairchild retired.
In 1984 the building was entered into the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1963, the property was
purchased by Edward Cleaveland and Dr. Catherine Hauberg Sweeney. The Sweeneys
were world travelers and Mr. Sweeney served as president of the Explorers Club.
Dr. Sweeney, a botanist, philanthropist, and preservationist, had the means
and the expertise to preserve Dr. Fairchild’s unique plant collections.
She was primarily responsible for preserving this irreplaceable botanical treasure
for future generations and transforming it into a botanical garden. She has
been referred to as the “Savior of The Kampong.” in 1984 Dr. Sweeney
gifted the garden and buildings to the the National Tropical Botanical Garden. She remained
a principal sponsor until her death in 1995.
The gardens contain a diverse
array of plants from the tropics and warm subtropics, including tropical fruits,
palms, flowering trees, flowering shrubs, and vines.The focus at yhe institution is education, using the property’s unparalleled living collections. Tours
are available by appointment.
Self-Guided
tours:
Reservations required by phone or e-mail
Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Online reservations close approximately 48 hours before day of tour. Please call the Kampong Office at (305) 442-7169 to check for remaining availability.
Guided
Tours:
(September to June): Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:30AM and 12 NOON
Reservations
required; phone (305) 442-7169.
Entrance
Fees:
Adults (13 yrs. and above) US$20;
Ages
62 and over or students with I.D. US$15;
Children 4-12 yrs. US$10;
Children 3 yrs. and under when accompanied by adult - free
Bus/Metrorail
services:
Plan on purchasing a US$
5.65 one-day or US$ 29.25 7-day transit pass (called EASY
Ticket).
C
(103) From 41st. Street, Miami Beach via Collins and Washington Avenue
to Miami Downtown Government Center.
Every 20 mins.
S 119
From Sunny Isles Beach, North and South Beach via Collins Ave to Miami
Downtown Government Center. Every 15 mins.
At
Miami Downtown Government Center ascend
to the Metrorail
station using your Easy Ticket. Take the southbound train and alight at Douglas
Road Station, which is the fourth stop.
Descend
to street level and take the No.
37 bus in the southbound direction (South Miami Station). Runs every 30 minutes.
Driving
directions:
From
Miami and Miami Beach
Take Interstate 95 (I-95) South to US 1.
Continue on US 1 (South Dixie Highway) to SW 37th Avenue (Douglas Road).
Turn left onto SW 37th Avenue (Douglas Road)
Drive approximately 1 mile.
The gardens are located 100 yards (.05 miles) past Main Highway (third traffic
light beyond U.S. 1)
Turn left into entrance. Watch for a 7-foot coral rock wall with vines, and
a large Ficus tree inside a small semicircular entrance.
Location
and Contact:
The Kampong
4013 S. Douglas Road
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Telephone: 305 442 7169
E-Mail: kampong@ntbg.org
URL: http://ntbg.org/gardens/kampong.php

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The Kampong. View from the house |
The Kampong. View towards the bay |