Senators Push For Extension To Keep Claude Moore Farm Open

MCLEAN, VA—Virginia's senators are calling for an extension of the agreement between the National Park Service and Friends of Claude Moore Colonial Farm before the park is set to close on Dec. 21. Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine wrote a letter to NPS asking for a one-year extension of the current short-term agreement, which expires on Dec. 21. Warner and Kaine urged NPS to initiate the extension and the Friends to address some NPS concerns "as a show of good faith."

"Such an extension would provide valuable time for leaders of the Park Service and the Friends of Claude Moore Colonial Farm (Friends) to negotiate a workable long-term cooperative agreement to keep the Farm open for years to come," the senators wrote.

Negotiations for a new long-term agreement came to a standstill in March. The Friends, who want 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.

The senators addressed the ramifications of the closing in their letter: "Closing this site would not only be a loss for the local community but also a financial/logistical one — requiring live animals to be relocated, equipment moved, buildings demolished, personnel to supervise this process, and ultimately new federal investments associated with reopening the site in a future form."

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The senators acknowledged that NPS is "within its rights to require closer adherence to its guidelines," which have changed since the first cooperative agreement with the Friends was made in 1981. NPS claimed it has given flexibility on its standard rules to the Friends. The Friends previously said in a statement the new terms "would make it impossible to operate the Farm."

NPS has indicated it is moving forward with the closing in a Dec. 14 letter to the Friends. The notice reminds the Friends to remove "all temporary, movable improvements and personal property, including livestock, porta-potties, and property in the pavilion area." NPS will be on site the week of Dec. 17 for an initial property assessment. The full property assessment will be completed after Dec. 21.

The farm, which depicts 18th century agricultural life, has seen over 2 million visitors since it opened. The living history program is supported through private admission funds, donations, grants and hundreds of volunteers.

Image provided by Claude Moore Colonial Farm