Alex: Historic River Farm, Horticulture Ctr, Public Gardens on Potomac, Up For Sale, Controversy

[appalachiablue]

-'VA And D.C. Investigate The Sale Of River Farm For Potentially Breaking State Law,' NPR- WAMU, May 13, 2021.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine are investigating the sale of a historic property in Alexandria, River Farm. The property is currently the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, and has been open to the public for nearly 50 years. But the nonprofit organization has put the 27-acre parcel up for sale for $32.9 million, sparking outrage from neighbors and elected officials.

Officials say if AHS sells to a buyer that doesn't keep the land open to the public, that may run afoul of Virginia law by not adhering to the terms of a philanthropic gift.

AHS was able to acquire River Farm in 1971, thanks to a gift from philanthropist and garden enthusiast Enid Haupt. "Ms. Haupt's intentions are clear," said State Senator Scott Surovell at a press conference outside River Farm on Wednesday. "All you have to do is look at the press coverage in 1973, when this property was protected, all you have to do is look at her two obituaries. It is clear she wanted this property open to the public, not held by some private landowner ... She wanted open to the public as a public garden, that's what her mission was all about."



Herring joined Surovell, other local officials, and residents at the press conference, and explained why he launched an investigation. "As attorney general, I have the authority to ensure that charitable assets and gifts are used by beneficiaries in accordance with the donor's terms," Herring said. "State law provides a lot of tools for me to make sure that the terms and conditions that are attached to gifts are honored and respected," said Herring. "We will pursue the investigation, like we do all investigations, wherever the facts lead."

River Farm, on the bluffs above the Potomac in Fairfax County, was one of four farms in the area owned by George Washington. Though Washington never lived at River Farm, the land was in his family for nearly 100 years, from 1760 to 1859. In the early 1970s, in the midst of the Cold War, the property was nearly sold to the Soviet Embassy, for use as a retreat for Communist dignitaries. Haupt donated $1 million to AHS to purchase the land in 1971, through the Annenberg Foundation, run by her brother Walter Annenberg.

In September, 2020, AHS announced it was considering selling the property, after suffering losses during the pandemic and struggling to stay afloat...

More, https://www.npr.org/local/305/2021/05/13/996519333/v-a-and-d-c-investigate-the-sale-of-river-farm-for-potentially-breaking-state-law

- 'Save River Farm' Momentum Builds with State, Local Support
https://patch.com/virginia/greateralexandria/save-river-farm-momentum-builds-state-local-support



Attorney General Mark Herring speaking in front of River Farm, May 12, 2021.