The gardens were originally created by David C. Strother in the 1930s within the 160-acre (0.65 km2) property around his farm house. In 1966, he donated his property to the American Camellia Society. Its headquarters building was completed in 1968 and named in his honor. The T. J. Smith Memorial Greenhouse was constructed in 1969, and now houses some 200 camellia plants.
The Annabelle Lundy Fetterman Educational Museum in the visitor center features a large collection of Boehm porcelain. The visitor center also includes a slide show about the gardens, a gift shop, auditorium and reception room.
Photo gallery
Roadsign along Georgia state Highway 49
Massee Lane visitor center with gift shop
Camellia japonica 'Monjusu'
Identification signs below the camellias show when and where the cultivar originated