How you can help support Poplar Hill
Born
of a love for history and historic preservation, The John M. and Sara
R. Walton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1988. Much has happened
since the Foundation and it's National Historic Landmark, Poplar Hill/His
Lordship's Kindness, were entrusted to our care. With the income from
the Foundation's endowment:
- We have donated funds to furnish a room at Darnall's Chance, in Upper Marlboro, Md., an important historic property owned and operated by The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. This property is linked to His Lordship's Kindness since it too was first constructed and owned by the Darnall Family.
- We have funded a dendrochronology study to confirm the precise age of the main residence.
- We have funded an historic structures report to identify significant factors affecting the preservation of the plantation house.
- We have restored the historic chapel wing to its original 1787 appearance.
- We have launched programs and events to entertain and educate the public.
Most
recently, we have completed analysis, restoration and painting of the
first floor bedchamber and an upstairs room, which will be used to demonstrate
weaving, spinning and textile arts to visitors and school groups. This
was accomplished with a grant of $20,000 from the State of Maryland.
Through a very generous $25,000 grant from the Oxon Hill Foundation,
we will soon be repointing and repairing the exterior brickwork of the
plantation house and the smokehouse, recaulking some windows on the
plantation house, repairing a sinking fireplace hearth in the formal
dining room and partially replacing a roof on one of the historic outbuildings.
We are grateful to James V. Kimsey for a memorial donation of $10,000
which enabled us to replace, the climate control system in one of the
historic outbuildings, make repairs to the roof of the main residence,
perform paint analysis in several rooms and restore the secretary desk
in the hall of the plantation house.
While
we have made significant progress in these areas, much still needs to
be done to preserve this architecturally significant piece of Maryland's
and America's past for future generations. Because our endowment and
grant funds are not sufficient to meet our needs for preservation/restoration
and public programming, we are establishing a fund for capital projects
and public programs. We are asking for your help with the important
work of continuing the restoration and preservation of this significant
National Historic Landmark. Please consider making a donation to The
Poplar Hill Preservation Fund for the continuing preservation of "Poplar
Hill on His Lordship's Kindness."
Thank you for your generosity and support.
Sincerely,
John M. Walton, Jr., President
The John M. and Sara R. Walton Foundation, Inc.