HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Your support is the reason we can dream big—
and preserve Oatlands for generations to come.
Thank You – A Year of Impact at Oatlands
Because of your generosity, Oatlands has had a year of growth, renewal, and community connection. Every gift—whether large or small—helped us steward the land, history, and community entrusted to our care. Here are just a few of the ways your support has made a difference:
Preserving the Balustrade
The iconic balustrade, long a visual centerpiece of the gardens, has been beautifully restored thanks to your generosity—ensuring safety, integrity, and beauty for decades to come.
Descendants Day: Together in History
We were honored to welcome descendants of enslaved and free families to Oatlands for a powerful day of remembrance, storytelling, food, and music. This event launched our new oral history project to capture and preserve the voices of elders and honor the ancestors who shaped this land.
Restoring the Historic Greenhouse
Your support helped us begin the careful restoration of our rare 19th-century greenhouse—the second oldest greenhouse in North America. This work ensures that the building, once at the heart of Oatlands’ horticultural innovation, will continue to inspire visitors and serve future generations.
Accessibility in the Gardens
The herb garden is one of the most beloved spaces at Oatlands, offering beauty, fragrance, and peace. Yet until recently, uneven bricks and grassy transitions made it inaccessible to those using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. Thanks to the generous support of the Marge and Joe Grills Grant—and friends like you—we removed these barriers. Now, everyone can fully enjoy this historic and serene garden.
Caring for Rusty, Our Faithful Garden Sentinel
Rusty, our faithful retriever statue, has stood watch over Oatlands’ gardens for generations. Time and weather have worn away his proud coat, leaving him in need of care. Thanks to a generous grant from the Loudoun Preservation Society, Rusty is receiving restoration—fresh paint and careful conservation to treat his rust spots. With this work, he will continue to guard the gardens and delight visitors for years to come.
Download this coloring page of Rusty!
Looking Ahead
With your continued partnership, we are preparing for:
- Restoration of the 200-year-old mansion portico columns: Breathing new life into the grand columns that have welcomed generations for two centuries.
- New ways to admire and explore our historic gardens: Opening fresh paths of beauty and discovery in landscapes that have inspired for 200 years.
- Education programs for underserved children in Loudoun County: Bringing history alive for every child, in the place where it happened.
