Blithewold, Inc. takes control of historic estate

Twenty years after a crisis, the fiscally healthy organization takes control of its beloved estate

By Christy Nadalin
Posted 3/28/19

On Tuesday, March 26, Preserve Rhode Island and Blithewold, Inc. announced that Preserve Rhode Island has officially transferred ownership of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, to Blithewold, …

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Blithewold, Inc. takes control of historic estate

Twenty years after a crisis, the fiscally healthy organization takes control of its beloved estate

Posted

On Tuesday, March 26, Preserve Rhode Island and Blithewold, Inc. announced that Preserve Rhode Island has officially transferred ownership of Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, to Blithewold, Inc. While this move will not be reflected in any changes for the casual visitor, for the many people in the community who have worked so hard to see this estate remain open to the public, it is a tremendous achievement.

“It’s an exciting moment for Blithewold,” said Executive Director Karen Binder. “It’s been in the works for a long time, and it’s gratifying that Preserve Rhode Island recognizes the proven ability of the board, staff and volunteers at Blithewold to successfully manage the property.”

Blithewold includes a 45-room mansion, multiple gardens, a nationally-recognized arboretum with specimen trees, a bamboo grove, a greenhouse and a 10-acre “Great Lawn.” Most people in Bristol are familiar with this landmark property — but many may not realize that just two decades ago, it was almost closed to the public. Perhaps it was going to be a private club … or part of Roger Williams University … or the headquarters of an events catering company.

As 1998 turned into 1999, Blithewold’s future was bleak, the staff was laid off, and the financially distressed Heritage Trust of Rhode Island, which had owned Blithewold since being bequested the property following Marjorie Lyon’s death in 1976, was entertaining offers.

The news shocked Blithewold’s large community of supporters, and a group of dedicated local philanthropists banded together and formed Save Blithewold, Inc. Spearheaded by Mary and Richard Glenn of Barrington, and Marty and Porter Halyburton, formerly of Bristol, the group secured some $650,000 in pledges in three short weeks, persuading the Heritage Trust (since renamed Preserve Rhode Island) to give Save Blithewold, Inc. a 99-year lease on the property.

According to archivist Margaret Whitehead in her book “Blithewold: Legacy of an American Family,” it was under the leadership of Eric Hertfelder, executive director of the newly-formed organization, that Blithewold embarked on “an ambitious program dedicated to fund-raising, horticultural excellence, and historic preservation.” In 2004, Ms. Binder took the reigns and continued Mr. Hertfelder’s work.

In 2006, believing the property saved, the board of directors dropped “Save” from their name, becoming simply Blithewold, Inc. With this week’s transfer of ownership, that bold claim had been validated.

Consideration for the deal was about an equal trade, with Blithewold, Inc. taking control of the original $100,000 endowment left by Marjorie Lyon (reduced in the lean years from an original $1,000,000), while Blithewold, Inc. paid $100,000 to Preserve Rhode Island, ostensibly for the ongoing maintenance of a comprehensive conservation and historic preservation easement negotiated between the two groups, which will ensure that any changes to the structures and grounds will be done according to national preservation standards.

Blithewold’s current endowment is $6.5 million.

Ms. Binder and Valerie Talmage, executive director of Preserve Rhode Island, issued a joint statement upon the closing:

“Preserve Rhode Island and Blithewold, Inc. share a deep appreciation for this unique property. It is a national treasure entrusted to our care here in Rhode Island. The Boards of Directors of both organizations are to be commended for their forethought in restructuring the ownership of this remarkable property in a way that significantly strengthens our joint commitment to protect and preserve Blithewold for public use for generations to come. Careful thought went into designing the easement to preserve this precious place forever. We are confident this heightened level of protection for her family’s beloved Blithewold would have delighted Marjorie Lyon.”

Ms. Binder credits several key players for the successful execution of the deal and final easement document, including Save Blithewold founder Richard Glenn, as well as Douglas Gray, Trish Sylvester, and current board chairman Herb Cummings.

“After 33 years, we are confident that we have a framework in place to honor Marjorie Lyon’s wish to forever protect the property,” she said.

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