Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Symington's final endowment, a jaw dropper
Representatives from five Loudoun groups greeted one another outside the yellow mansion of Oatlands Plantation July 6, discussing how they expected to spend their new-found money. In the next few minutes, checks amounting to a million dollars or more were presented to each.Executors of the Valeria Harris Symington estate staged an hour-long money exchange in the mansion's front yard, leaving more than one of the blue-blazered representatives soaked in sweat on the hot summer day.
But, despite the heat, everyone left smiling and with more money in their pockets.
Representatives from Ida Lee Recreation Center, the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority, Rust Library, Oatlands and Loudoun Country Day School received the second half of an endowment from Valeria Harris Symington, known by friends as "A.V."
Symington died at 87 in Leesburg in August 2003. Friends remember her as someone who loved swimming, reading, animals, and was a real people person.
During the presentation of the first half of the endowment in 2004, the five groups had divided about $10 million. It was thought that after taxes and legal fees, each group would likely receive an additional couple hundred thousand dollars.
Instead, the groups split the remaining half of Symington's $20 million donation.
"Our first reaction was our mouths dropped to the floor with shock," said Leesburg Parks and Recreations Director Kaj Dentler, who accepted a check for $2.45 million on behalf of Ida Lee Park.
The rec center has allocated the funds for an outdoor pool, indoor tennis facility and the acquisition of land for expansion. Dentler said the tennis facility is scheduled to open late this fall, and the pool likely in 2009.
The Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority also received a check for $2.45 million, which will go toward Symington's former residence, Temple Hill Farm, which was given to the parks authority in 1987.
"Mrs. Symington wanted a place where the public could come to learn about agricultural history," said Joan Rokus, who knew Symington for more than 35 years and was asked to accept the check on behalf of the parks authority. Symington ran the farm after her husband was too ill to do so, Rokus said. The new money will go toward an office building and classroom for those who visit Temple Hill farm to learn about how agriculture has impacted Loudoun.
Rust Library, which also received $2.45 million, will put its share toward the 15,000-square-foot addition, which will include a new children's section, larger meeting and conference areas, and an area specifically for teens. The renovations will happen over the next 18 months, said Doug Henderson, director of Loudoun's public libraries. The bids for these construction projects were due to library representatives on July 6.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation received $1.25 million, which will go toward the continual restoration of Oatlands Plantation.
"I think it's an understatement to say that Mrs. Symington's contribution has made an impact on Oatlands," said David Boyce, executive director of Oatlands. He added that because of Loudoun's fast-growing population, protecting the plantation's grounds has become more difficult.
"[The money] was truly a godsend," he said. A big project on the plantation will be resurrecting the19th-century barn complex build by George Carter, who established Oatlands farm.
Randall Hollister, Loudoun Country Day School's headmaster, claimed the school's check for $1.25 million, which he said will go toward the new campus to be built in the Red Cedar subdivision, south of Leesburg off Evergreen Mill Road. The 70-acre campus is estimated to cost about $30 million, he said, will bump admissions from 300 to 500 students and will include a gymnasium.
"A.V.'s extremely generous gift is a tremendous help," Hollister said. Symington's daughter Deidre graduated from the day school in 1960.
In August 2004 the five organizations were unaware they would receive any money, said Henry Harris, Symington's nephew and co-trustee. He said invitations were given out to representatives of the five organizations to come to a gathering that would be worth their while. None of the groups realized then that they would be the recipients of millions.
The length of time between the original and final donation is due to standard inquiries conducted by the IRS on willed money, said Boyce.
Contact the reporter at hhobbs@timespapers.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.