Compass Real Estate
The American Horticultural Society has set a deadline of Jan. 5 for the sale of its historic riverfront property while Virginia's attorney general is questioning whether the group has the authority to sell the property in the first place.
"The deadline is quite ambitious," said Alan Rowsome, executive director of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. "That's the reason Save River Farm has been born and we're ready to do everything it takes to see that it remains public."
AHS has put the property on the market for $32.9 million and is accepting bids for the property through Jan. 5.
"There isn't any logical explanation that we can see why they would need to move this quickly. From our perspective, it is a manufactured deadline. That leads to concerns over what are the true intentions here?"
Philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt donated $1 million to AHS to buy River Farm in 1973 for use as its national headquarters with a stipulation that the 27-acre grounds be open to the public.
AHS is asking $32.9 million for the property, but Rowsome is estimating an appraisal currently underway will show a value closer to $17 million to $18 million.
Meanwhile, the office of Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, in a letter to AHS, asked the group to turn over documents related to its purchase of River Farm in 1973: "It has come to our attention that the American Horticultural Society, a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation, intends to sell River Farm, a property that was reportedly purchased with donated funds from Enid A. Haupt and/or a foundation with which she was affiliated. Accordingly, and in keeping with our role in ensuring that the public interest in such gifts is protected, please provide us with any and all documents related to this gift and to the purchase of River Farm."
Other government authorities including Gov. Ralph Northam, have written to the AHS Board in support of preserving the land for the public. Fairfax County Supervisors Dan Storck and Jeff McKay, state Del. Paul Krizek and state Sens. Adam Ebbin and Scott Surovell are also supporting preservation of the property for the public.
In addition, on Nov. 17, Fairfax County Supervisor Dan Storck authorized staff to start researching whether a historic overlay district is possible for the property, which could put restrictions on future usage.
A call to AHS about the deadline and the attorney general's letter was not immediately returned.
AHS Decides Against APGA Merger
Terry Hayes, AHS board chair, noted in an open letter on the group's website this fall that instead of trying to merge with the American Public Gardens Association, AHS intends to move in an "exciting new direction." That direction is to continue operating as an independent national non-profit and expand its programming.
In a letter, Hayes wrote, "Our board has committed to maintaining AHS as an independent national nonprofit with its own board, staff and headquarters. The board is now working diligently to further develop a sustainable business model that would allow AHS to streamline expenses and continue operating as an independent national nonprofit organization for the next 100 years."
"In order to move forward with this renewed vision, we are dependent on the proceeds from the sale of River Farm. These funds would create a significant endowment that has been the missing link in our financial viability. Our hope is to find a buyer – a new steward – for River Farm who will work to preserve this beautiful and historic property," Hayes wrote.
The move to sell the property has alarmed the community. Rowsome's group is working with a number of public and private entities to try to purchase the property to ensure it remains a public asset "as it was originally donated," he said.
"We're willing to pay a fair price," he said.
Rowsome said that he thinks there is "mutual understanding" that having the property remain open for public use "is what everybody wants." However, he noted, "there has been some discrepancy regarding what the property is worth and what its assessed value is."
"In the end, this can't be about, 'How much money can we get for the property?' but how can they work with organizations like ours and Fairfax County and do the right thing?"
River Farm is often the site of weddings and other events but due to the coronavirus pandemic, has not seen as many rentals as it would in other years.
Rowsome noted that, "essentially, their financials seem to show reasonable financial health. They are claiming that the pandemic and maintenance has become a significant impediment to their business and it's losing them money."
"We believe the property has been somewhat mismanaged and neglected over the years," he said. "It does cost a significant amount to manage."
It is hoped that working with NOVA Parks, an interjurisdictional organization that owns more than 10,000 acres of historic land and properties across Northern Virginia or Fairfax County could be the answer, he noted. "Maintenance of gardens, managing weddings, offering walking opportunities and access to the river...all those things can be preserved. We have entities who can do those very well. We need the AHS Board to understand that there are viable options given time and patience to pull it together."
Here's a description of the property, from its real estate listing by Compass real estate and the Sue Goodhart Group:
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own 27 plus acres of riverfront property in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Imagine owning an estate renowned for its unobstructed views of the Potomac River and impeccably maintained gardens. Just 20 minutes from Washington, DC, River Farm, a sweeping 27.5-acre property located on the Potomac River, is on the market for the first time in nearly 50 years. The charm of the past envelops you immediately upon entering the property. As you wind through the circular driveway you will see the 11,000 square foot stone manor house nestled in an elegant park-like setting. As you gaze across the gardens, you'll take in expansive views of the Potomac River. The existing home is currently being used as offices for the American Horticultural Society, but as you step through the front door of the stately manor house,
it's easy to envision its history as a private residence. To the right, you'll find a large parlor with a beautiful view of the river and just beyond the foyer, a dining room perfect for entertaining. Walk down the hallway, a gracious ballroom with a spectacular vista of the grounds. Ascend the stairs to the second level, and you'll find six bedrooms and four bathrooms. The lower level of the home contains ample storage. Original trim, windows and floors are found throughout the home, and the Potomac is visible from many of the rooms. Just off the ballroom is a large bluestone terrace framed on one side by a stately hedge of English boxwood.
As you tour the property, you'll encounter a series of perennial gardens, a children's garden, and a naturalistic four-acre meadow. River Farm also includes a carriage house, cottage and two storage garages.
*HOME AMENITIES: Over 4,000 square feet of entertaining space; Large covered porch and smaller enclosed porch; Original trim, windows and floors; Six bedrooms, six bathrooms; Spacious slate patio; Extensive formal and informal gardens with historic plantings; Carriage house; Cottage.
*HISTORY: River Farm's first owners were the Brents, an English Catholic family active in early colonial Maryland. In 1653 or 1654, Giles Brent obtained 1,800 acres for his son, Giles, Jr. and his wife, a princess of the Piscataway tribe. This grant of 1,800 acres, named Piscataway Neck, included the land that is now River Farm. In 1760, George Washington bought the land for 1,210 pounds. Along with the purchase of three other nearby tracts, Washington consolidated his holdings into a single, contiguous plantation of approximately 7,400 acres. River Farm became the northernmost of Washington's five farms. Malcolm Matheson bought the property in 1919 and remodeled the home into a charming early-20th Century country estate that stands today. In 1973, American Horticultural Society (AHS) board member and philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt provided funds for the AHS to purchase the property. The grounds now house the offices of AHS and are used for weddings, events and gardening.
*NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY OF FORT HUNT: The serene property is only 20 minutes south of Washington, DC, but you'll feel a world away. River Farm is located south of Old Town Alexandria in the quiet and leafy Wellington neighborhood of Fairfax County. The scenic, 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail passes just outside the front gates. Additional recreational opportunities abound. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is just three minutes north, and Fort Hunt Park is an equal distance to the south. Drive Times - Old Town Alexandria: 12 min. National Airport: 18 min. Downtown DC: 28 min. Amazon HQ2: 21 min. Pentagon: 20 min. Fort Belvoir: 17 min. National Harbor: 13 min.
