Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located on 380 acres (1.5 km2) of rolling meadows, woodlands and lakefront property in Belmont, North Carolina. Founded by Daniel J. Stowe, a retired textile executive from Belmont, it includes large manicured gardens, natural surrounding areas, including a woodland trail, sparkling fountains, and an Orchid Conservatory. More than 200 years later on this same farmland, the garden hosted the grand opening of 110 acres (0.45 km2) developed on October 9, 1999. The opportunity to join as a founding member ended with 5,297 members.