AHS
Keith Tomlinson
After a year that can only be described as tumultuous, the American Horticultural Society is looking for stability and a return to its roots with a new director.
Keith Tomlinson, former Botanical Garden Manager of Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, Virginia, started his new job as Director of AHS Monday.
Tomlinson replaces former Interim Executive Director J. Robert Brackman, who resigned on September 30, 2021 along with several board members after the board was unable to come to an agreement regarding whether to sell the society's iconic River Farm property.
“We are thrilled to welcome Keith as the new leader of the AHS team. Keith is a renowned horticultural director whose visionary leadership at Meadowlark Gardens spans a broad range of programmatic, operational, and strategic areas. He will be instrumental in re-imagining and improving the gardens while expanding our fundraising and outreach efforts," said Holly Shimizu, former Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C. and a member of the AHS Board of Trustees.
"Now that we have confirmed our commitment to retaining historic River Farm as AHS headquarters and an integral component of our overall mission, he is the ideal choice to collaborate with the Board, AHS stakeholders and help us move forward with our goals – to protect the property in perpetuity and to use it as a springboard for building national horticultural programs in support of our mission,” Shimizu said.
Also as of Monday, River Farm has reopened to the public two days each week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
“River Farm is a national treasure,” said Tomlinson, “a spectacular property that is both a symbolic link to our national heritage and an idyllic slice of natural beauty and open space. I’m very honored to join the AHS team on the eve of its 100th anniversary and be part of the exciting opportunity we have to strengthen both the Society’s horticultural mission and the stewardship of River Farm.”
The following is a broadcast of a press conference AHS hosted Monday:
