River Farm is off the market.
Local residents cheered over email and text messages Wednesday after learning that the American Horticultural Society's board — or what remained of it — decided not to sell its 27-acre property overlooking the Potomac River.
AHS had listed its property for sale in 2020, claiming financial difficulties as the organization approached it's 100-year anniversary. The sale was originally proposed as part of a merger with the American Public Garden Association, but the merger plans fell apart. The property remained on the market for more than $32 million, listed by Sue Goodhart of Compass Real Estate.
Plans to sell the historic property drew protests from community members who were concerned about development. Local and state government officials got involved, creating a historic overlay district on the property, which would have limited the type of development that could occur if the property sold.
Shortly after the 10-member board decided to reject offers from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust to purchase or co-own the property, five board members who supported selling the property, the AHS executive director and several other staff members resigned.
The five remaining board member of AHS are: Holly Shimizu, Marcia Zech, Skipp Calvert, Tim J. Conlon and Laura Dowling. They released the following statement Tuesday:
Statement from the AHS Board – for immediate release on Oct. 5, 2021:
Thanks to the overwhelming outpouring of support from our American Horticultural Society members and donors, neighbors and stakeholders, public officials and the community over the past year, we are extremely pleased to announce that River Farm will continue to be our national headquarters and remain a priceless asset for the general public and future generations to enjoy. We are grateful to all of those individuals and groups who rallied around us to help preserve and protect this historic property. Throughout the year-long debate over the future of River Farm, we have always been convinced that there is a strong and viable path forward – with AHS as the steward of the property, supported by like-minded friends and partners. And now, with River Farm officially off of the open real estate market, we have the opportunity to fully realize this dream.
For those of us who have been working tirelessly to keep AHS at River Farm, this is a simple story of keeping promises made to donors. First and foremost, we know that it is our ongoing ethical responsibility to honor the wishes of our benefactor Enid Annenberg Haupt, who provided the funds to purchase River Farm in 1973. Her only stipulations were that River Farm serve as the national headquarters of AHS and that the beautiful grounds and gardens remain open for public enjoyment. Now, on the eve of our 100th anniversary celebration – and almost 50 years at River Farm – we can rededicate ourselves to this purpose, amplifying our national mission with River Farm as our home base.
A key priority over the next few days and weeks will be to re-open River Farm to the public and reconstitute the garden volunteer program. We also look forward to working with partners in the public and private sectors to help secure the financial future of AHS and River Farm as well as fortify safeguards that will eliminate the threat of development on the property permanently. Towards that end, we are launching a fundraising campaign that 1) strengthens our ability to steward River Farm over the long-term, 2) ensures that the property remains an idyllic open space, and 3) creates a platform for developing an ambitious portfolio of horticultural programs with a broad national reach.
We are grateful for the support and commitment of all of our AHS stakeholders who supported our efforts to preserve River Farm as an irreplaceable national treasure -- and look forward to collaborating with everyone on this exciting new chapter.
S/Skipp Calvert
S/Tim Conlon
S/Laura Dowling
S/Holly Shimizu
S/Marcia Zech
