Clermont Foundation

TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IN AGRICULTURE, HISTORY, AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS USING THE LANDSCAPE OF THE 18TH CENTURY PLANTATION AT CLERMONT FARM IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA, OWNED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPT. OF HISTORIC RESOURCES.

AGRICULTURE: THE FOUNDATION USES THE 360-ACRE CLERMONT FARM SITE AS A COMMERCIAL BEEF CATTLE AND SHEEP OPERATION, WHICH IS THE BASIS FOR: A) PRESERVING INTACT AND SUSTAINABLY AN HISTORIC AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE, AND B.) PROVIDING AN AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VIRGINIA TECH AND THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. CLERMONT ALSO SERVES AS A TEACHING FARM FOR THE LOCAL CLARKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGRICULTURE CLASSES AND SUPPORTS WORKING FARMERS THROUGH THE EXTENSION SERVICE. IN 2022, SCHEMATIC PLANS FOR THE REPLACEMENT BARNS WERE COMPLETED AND APPROVED. NEW PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING A MEET THE LAMBS WITH AN EXPERT TALK WERE CREATED. CLERMONT HOSTED THE EXTENSION SERVICE'S WOOL POOL, ALLOWING SMALL REGISTERED WOOL PRODUCERS TO GET THEIR PRODUCT TO A LARGE MIDWESTERN BUYER. BEEKEEPER TRAINING AND PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSES EXPANDED.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION: THE FOUNDATION DEMONSTRATES BEST HISTORIC PRESERVATION PRACTICES AND CONDUCTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS ABOUT THEM FOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, USING THE DOZEN HISTORIC BUILDINGS (18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES) ABOVE GROUND AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES BEING PROTECTED UNDERGROUND. REHABILITATION OF AND REPAIRS TO HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE USED NOT ONLY AS ACTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMONSTRATIONS OF BEST PRACTICES AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES, BUT ALSO TO CONDUCT FURTHER RESEARCH ON AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE BUILDINGS. IN 2022, THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED A GRANT OF $472,000 FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE OWNER HOUSE, THE SMOKE HOUSE, AND THE DAIRY/SPRINGHOUSE, WITH WORK SCHEDULED FOR 2023. ON-SITE TOURS OF THE SITE RE-COMMENCED IN 2022. RESEARCH BEGAN ON REPRODUCING AN EXCEPTIONAL 18TH CENTURY CHAIR AT CLERMONT AS A PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

HISTORY: THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE HISTORY OF THE FARM, ITS REGIONAL AND ECONOMIC TIES, AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED AND WORKED THERE. THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINS ARCHIVES OF FAMILY PAPERS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS RELATED TO THE FARM, AND COLLECTIONS OF HISTORIC FURNISHINGS, OBJECTS, AND ARCHAELOGICAL MATERIALS. ALL OF THESE ARE AVAILABLE TO EXTERNAL RESEARCHERS. IN 2022 PLANNING BEGAN FOR MOVING THESE MATERIALS OUT OF COMMERCIAL STORAGE INTO CONDITIONED SPACE IN THE NEW BARN, ALONG WITH THE FOUNDATION'S OFFICES, A SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE SPACE WHICH WILL ALSO OPEN UP PARTS OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS FOR VISITORS. WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT WAS CONTINUED, AS WELL AS RESEARCH ON THE ORIGINAL 1750 LAND GRANT.