The five board members of the American Horticultural Society who approved the sale of the 27 acre River Farm property on the Potomac River have all resigned.
The Washington Post initially reported on the mass resignation of board members and others. “Attorney John T. Richards Jr. said he had emailed copies of letters submitted by AHS Board Chairman Terry Hayes and four other board members announcing their resignation effective Thursday. Their names Also not included on the AHS website Director J. Robert Brackman, also resigned, Richards said, “according to the Washington Post.
The following email was sent Thursday evening to supporters of Save River Farm, a campaign run by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust:
Today’s news of the resignation of the Executive Director, American Horticultural Society Board Chairmen, and several other board members is an important step toward our common goal of protecting River Farm forever.
For the past few months, the existing departments on AHS ‘board of directors had prevented them from moving forward as an organization, and hopefully that is changing now. We are excited to work with the new leadership at AHS to support them and ensure that River Farm remains an incredible community good that honors the cultural, historical and natural heritage that it represents.
– Chair of the Save River Farm Committee / NVCT Executive Director, Alan Rowsome
The five remaining board members of AHS are: Holly Shimizu, Marcia Zech, Skipp Calvert, Tim J. Conlon and Laura Dowling.
Just a few days ago, the then full ten-person board of directors voted to decline offers from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust to purchase or co-own the 27-acre River Farm property. They also said they are not considering an alternative offer from a potential developer to consolidate nearby properties for the construction of a resort and conference center.
AHS had put the property up for sale so the proceeds could be used to further AHS ‘national mission and programs and to create a significant foundation to secure its long-term financial future – and under an agreement to merge with another horticultural association. But the merger never came about, and the sale of the historic estate, with sweeping views of the Potomac River, drew harsh criticism from community members, who are suspicious of the development, arguing that the property should remain open to the public as it is now . Even local government officials got involved and created a historic overlay neighborhood on the property.
September 30, 2021
5:58 pm