Claude Moore Colonial Farm Closes In McLean

MCLEAN, VA—Claude Moore Colonial Farm permanently closed on Dec. 21. Friends of Claude Moore Farm and the National Park Service could not reach a deal on a new cooperative agreement.

The Friends say the farm will not reopen under the name Claude Moore or Claude Moore Colonial Farm. The National Park Service has said it intends to hold community meetings on the future use of the site.

Meanwhile the Friends plan to continue their "mission of history, agricultural and environmental living educational programs in another location."

During negotiations earlier this year, the Friends, who wanted an agreement like they've gotten before, opted not to sign NPS's agreement with new terms. On March 30, NPS told the Friends it would sign a short-term agreement through Dec. 21, effectively closing the farm on the latter date.

Originally named Turkey Run Farm when it opened as a National Park Service operation in 1972, the farm was renamed in for local land developer, Dr. Claude Moore. Moore's large donation at the time of his death allowed the farm park to establish itself as the only autonomous site in the park system.

The Friends entered into an agreement to provide the living history programs in 1981. The group has operated the programming for 37 years.

The farm, which portrayed everyday rural life late 18th century Virginia, welcomed more than 2 million visitors since it opened. The living history program was supported through private admission funds, donations, grants and hundreds of volunteers.

Here is the full statement from Friends of Claude Moore Farm on the closing.

Friends, Volunteers and Visitors:

The Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run closed forever on Friday, December 21, 2018. The Friends of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the millions of visitors to the Farm over the years. In addition, we deeply value the invaluable time and talents of thousands of adult and youth volunteers and the financial and in-kind contributions of our many benefactors.

The Board of the Friends will be taking some time during the holiday season to rest and reflect on the accomplishments of our volunteers and supporters for these last 37 years. When the New Year dawns we will be continuing our mission of history, agricultural and environmental living educational programs in another location. Please continue to follow us on our social media sites for updates.

The Friends of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run, which has operated the Farm for these last 37 years, is no longer fundraising or accepting donations. Any individual or organization purporting to raise money in the name of Claude Moore or the Claude Moore Colonial Farm is doing so under false pretenses. The Farm will not reopen at its former site in McLean under any name associated with Claude Moore or the Claude Moore Colonial Farm so any claims to the contrary from any party, including the National Park Service, are false. The National Park Service has stated that it intends to hold community meetings to discuss future uses of the site. The Friends of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run will not be involved in those discussions, although we encourage our former volunteers and supporters within the community to make your voices heard.

The Friends of the Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run extend our warmest wishes for a lovely holiday and a happy New Year.

Image via Friends of Claude Moore Farm