Wandering Carolina

This past Saturday, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the Isabelle Bowen Henderson House in Raleigh—and it was such a special experience.

This event was hosted by Preservation North Carolina, who put together a thoughtfully curated tour of both the home and its beautiful gardens. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, which made the day feel even more meaningful.

I invited my friend Kelly from Forgotten South to join me, and we also met up with Heather Leah. One of the highlights for me was getting a signed copy of her book Lost Towns of North Carolina—such a fun and unexpected addition to an already memorable day.

The Woman Behind the Home

What truly makes this property stand out is the woman behind it. Isabelle Bowen Henderson was a highly accomplished portrait artist, best known for her crayon portraits of children. She also created oil portraits of prominent North Carolinians and produced hundreds of works throughout her career.

But her artistic vision didn’t stop at the canvas.

A Living Work of Art

Inspired by Colonial Williamsburg, Isabelle transformed her property into something truly unique—designing a series of “outdoor rooms” that feel just as intentional as any painting. Winding paths, layered plantings, and carefully framed views make the entire space feel like a living, breathing piece of art.

She wasn’t just someone who enjoyed gardening—she was a nationally recognized horticulturist. Isabelle hybridized hundreds of iris and daylily varieties, earning awards and recognition for her work. Walking through the gardens today, you can still feel the creativity and care she poured into every detail.

A Rare Opportunity to Visit

One of the things that makes this experience so special is that the tour is only offered once a year. It’s a rare chance to step inside both the home and the world Isabelle created—something you simply can’t experience on a typical day.

If visiting this property is on your list, I highly recommend following Preservation North Carolina so you don’t miss future opportunities.

Capturing the Garden

I took plenty of cell phone photos while I was there, but I made sure to spend some time capturing a few shots with my camera as well. The flowers in Isabelle’s garden felt like the perfect subject—each one a small reflection of the beauty she created here.

It was the perfect way to slow down, take it all in, and appreciate the lasting impact of someone who truly saw her home and garden as one complete work of art.