2023 Professional Awards
of the Potomac Chapter ASLA
River Farm
Save River FarmRiver Farm’s connections and influence on the practices of agriculture, horticulture, garden design, and landscape architecture are historic.
Merit Award in Public and Non-profit Projects
In 1973 River Farm became the home of the American Horticultural Society after being saved from a proposed sale to the Soviet Union for use as an ambassador retreat. In 2020 the property needed to be saved again from a possible sale and drastic change in program.
The Save River Farm team worked on two tracks—to protect the valuable historic and cultural resources associated with River Farm, and to ensure that public access to the gardens and open space will continue as envisioned by the original benefactor.
This multi-year project, emphasizes the importance of the role of stewardship in protecting natural and historic/cultural resources and the important role Landscape Architecture and Historic Preservation play in this work.
Project Team
Landscape Architect:
Daniel Straub ASLA PLA LEEDAP, Urban Planner | Landscape Architect
Non-Profit Sector Component:
Alan Rowsome, Chair & Ex Dir-Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
Keister O. Evans, former Ex Dir-American Horticultural Society
Anne Wilson Fafara, Volunteer Coordinator
Paul Seifert, Policy Expert
Katherine Ward, Co-chair-Mount Vernon Council Citizen Assn
Daniel Straub, Urban Planner | Landscape Architect
Public Sector Component:
Leanna O’Donnell AICP, Planning Director, Fairfax County
Elizabeth Crowell Ph.D., Fairfax County Park Authority
Laura Arseneau, Preservation Planner (former), Fairfax County
Lily Yegazu, Senior Planner, Fairfax County
Public Sector Consultant:
Laura Hughes, Principal - EHT Traceries
Sarah Vonesh, Sr Historic Preservation Planner & Project Manager
Ben Walker, Architectural Historian
Photo Credit
Photos courtesy of Save River Farm
Congratulations to Save River Farm.
Back to 2023 Professional Awards