The Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s orangery now carries a new name: “The Ralph & Linda Huff Orangery.”

The Huffs were instrumental in raising funds to pay off the existing mortgage on the center, which serves as a gathering place, event venue or for its traditional use — a refuge for citrus trees during cold weather.

On Thursday, it served as the backdrop for a mortgage burning with about a hundred donors and guests looking on.

“Paying off the mortgage on this world-class building is a milestone worthy of a celebration and we are extremely grateful for your generous support,” said Keith Tilghman, president of the executive board at the botanical garden.

Susie McFadyen, vice president of development, pointed to the many gifts of time, work and money to see the project to completion.

“Linda and Ralph have been generous in sharing their success, and their altruism is reflected throughout our community.” McFayden said. “As we neared the end of the Campaign of Natural Growth, the Huffs stepped forward, offering to not only provide the funds needed to complete the campaign, but also to provide a gift significant enough that the care and maintenance of the orangery and the gardens that surround it would be provided for many years to come.”

“Therefore, I am so very pleased to announce that, from this day forward, this beautiful room in which we all stand will be known as the Ralph and Linda Huff Orangery,” McFayden said. “Linda, Ralph, we are all forever grateful for this latest example of your benevolence.”

McFayden said many others provided or helped raise funds to finish the project at the gardens.

Bill Pollitt, vice president of the executive board, pointed to others, connected to the fund-raising effort. Joan Allen and Harvey Wright were the two co-chairs of the Campaign for Natural Growth. Jay Wyatt also stood up to represent his mother, Dot Wyatt, “who not only served as the honorary chair of the campaign, but who also served for so many years as a volunteer and ambassador for the garden,” Pollitt said.

Pollitt asked Jennifer Sullivan to also step forward as well. 

“I am now giving the $3.1 million note and deed of trust from BB&T to Joan (Allen) and Harvey (Wright) and Jay (Wyatt) and Jennifer (Sullivan) and Keith (Tilghman) so that they can burn it, afterwhich, Jay and Charlene Wyatt will offer a toast for the occasion.”

Once the crowd moved to the Orangery Terrace where a fire pit stood waiting, those holding pages of the bank documents ceremoniously placed the pages into the fire.

Earlier, Tilghman explained the significance of the ceremony.

“Paying off the mortgage on this world-class building is a milestone worthy of celebration and we are extremely grateful for your generous support,” Tilghman said. “Being debt-free represents another new beginning. As we look to the future, we acknowledge our next important campaign is to grow our endowment. Average annual payout from the Garden’s endowments at Cumberland Community Foundation is a little over $100,000.”

Tilghaman said that to maintain the garden as a vibrant community resource, a payout of $200,000 to $250,000 annually is needed.

“We must now grow our endowment by an additional $2.5 million to $3.8 million to ensure that Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be a healthy, vibrant part of our community for many years to come,” he said.

About Cape Fear Botanical Garden

Cape Fear Botanical Garden was founded in 1989 on 80 acres located between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek. The gardens feature many blooming ornamental plants, camellia, daylillies and shade gardens, as well as a butterfly stroll and Children’s Garden.

The gardens have hosted many special occasions such as weddings, business and military functions. Find more information at https://www.capefearbg.org/about-us/ .