AHS - Press Releases February 11, 2005

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American Horticultural Society Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2005

MEDIA CONTACT:

David Ellis
Communications Director
7931 East Boulevard Drive
Alexandria, VA 22308-1300
Tel. (800) 777-7931 ext. 122
E-mail: webmaster@ahs.org

Historic White House Gates Restored by Local Artisans

Alexandria, VA—February 2005

The American Horticultural Society (AHS), based in Alexandria, Virginia, has been working with Flaherty Iron Works of Alexandria, and Conservation Solutions, Inc. based in Washington, D.C., on the renovation of a set of former White House gates. The fully restored gates will make their national debut in the entrance display at the 2005 Philadelphia Flower Show, which will be held March 6 to 13 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

“Installed at the White House in 1819, these gates witnessed the passage of presidents from Monroe to FDR, and will now greet visitors to the nation’s first and longest running flower show,” says Sam Lemheney, designer of the Philadelphia Flower Show. As the central feature of the entrance display, the historic gates aptly reflect the theme of this year’s show, “America the Beautiful.”

After being removed from the White House during a renovation in the 1930s, the gates ended up at River Farm, where they hung for many years anonymously at the property’s former entrance. In 2002, William Seale, a historian and AHS Board member, recognized the origins of the gates and they were taken down for protection and restoration.

Flaherty Iron Works has been returning the gates to their original splendor under the direction of the metal conservation specialists at Conservation Solutions, Inc. (CSI) “I have really enjoyed having the honor and the opportunity to work on a project that is so steeped in history,” says Francis Flaherty, founder and owner of Flaherty Iron Works.

“The enthusiasm of the American Horticultural Society and the craftsmen for the project, knowing that this mute iron was deeply tied to our nation’s glorious history, was evident throughout the project and led to its successful completion,” says Mark Rabinowitz, vice president of CSI and senior conservator.

Following their appearance at the Philadelphia Flower Show, the gates will return to the AHS’s national headquarters at River Farm. “Work is currently underway on a Master Plan that will renew the Society’s vision for River Farm and fully embrace the AHS’s mission,” says Tom Underwood, AHS director of horticultural programs.

“The meticulous restoration of this historic treasure is the first step in many that will contribute to an exciting new beginning for River Farm.”

For further information, contact:

David J. Ellis, AHS Director of Communications,
at (703) 768-5700 ext. 122 or webmaster@ahs.org.
Flaherty Iron Works (703) 220-9914, info@flahertyironworks.com
Conservation Solutions, Inc. (202) 544-3257, info@conservationsolution.com.

7931 East Boulevard Drive - Alexandria VA 22308
(V) 703.768.5700 - Toll Free: 1.800.777.7931
(F) 703.768.8700 - Publications Fax: 703.768.7533