The Lynnwood Foundation was
established to preserve and protect
The Duke Mansion, and to support its
programming arm, The Lee Institute.
As part of the centennial celebration of
The Mansion, The Lynnwood Founda-
tion embarked on an unprecedented
makeover of the 4.5-acre grounds.
Renowned Charlotte-based landscape
designer Laurie Durden was tapped
to lead the project. Cyndee Patterson,
president of The Duke Mansion and
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The Lee Institute says, “We were
lucky that Laurie chose us because
when you look at her skills and
background—you wouldn’t look
any further. The fact that she grew
up in Charlotte and understands
the Southern garden aesthetic is
probably one of the most important
reasons why this has been so per-
fect. Laurie established an amazing
creative balance of acknowledging
the past in terms of what belongs
in our garden but stretching it.”