County Pressures Donors To Save Historic Farm

County officials are trying to find philanthropists to help buy land rights to a historic Pennsylvania farm, one that could be offered up to builders if preservationists do not buy the land by August 2.

1 minute read

March 11, 2007, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"County commissioners challenged other potential donors to pony up the remaining $10 million needed to buy the 98-acre Angus Tract - the only portion of the 450-acre farm currently for sale."

"The nonprofit Whitemarsh Foundation, created five years ago to protect the $70 million Erdenheim Farm from development, has an option to purchase the land. But it expires on Aug. 2, the first anniversary of Dixon's death. If preservation forces cannot find money to acquire the tract, trustees for the Dixon estate could decide to give that opportunity to builders."

"Citing Dixon's 'spectacular stewardship' of the landmark farm for more than three decades, foundation chairman Hugh Moulton said it is now the public's 'turn to step up and do what needs to be done to see that it is preserved.'"

Friday, March 9, 2007 in The Philadelphia Inquirer

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