becomes a 21st century public treasure.
About Ashem Farm
The vision of one of Charleston's great
preservationists — the late Emily Ravenel
Farrow — is a reality.
To honor her wish to preserve her lands in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of Charleston, Mrs. Farrow bequeathed her beloved Ashem Farm, located along Old Towne Road in West Ashley next to Charles Towne Landing, to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust. The Land Trust has now transferred it to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission with a commitment to maintain the site as a public park for all to enjoy. During her lifetime, Mrs. Farrow ensured the permanent protection of Ashem Farm by placing a conservation easement on it through the Historic Charleston Foundation. This easement protects not only the land, but the houses she lived in throughout her lifetime.
Fortunately for Charleston, Mrs. Farrow's devotion and reverence now live on permanently as an example of what we, individually and collectively, can do to protect and preserve the things that matter most.
Reverence for the Land
Mrs. Farrow was a prize-winning rider with a deep understanding of animals and nature.
Hundreds of Charlestonians remember Ashem Farm as home to the St. Andrew's Parish Riding Academy, where generations of children and adults learned to ride horses under the tutelage of Mrs. Farrow, affectionately known as "Miss Em."
Both her father, Charles Jervey Ravenel, and her mother, Emily Simmons Ravenel, were accomplished equestrians, a skill and passion they passed on to their daughter.
The Ashem Farm kept Mrs. Farrow deeply rooted in the natural world and connected to generations of her family. In addition to her "horse-sense," Emily learned, through life as a farmer's daughter, how to persevere and adjust - whether in the face of hurricanes, wars, the Great Depression or the endless cycle of life and death.
It was, perhaps, Mrs. Farrow's proximity to life's beauty and reality that made her treasure life - and devote it to caring for the people, animals, plants, and land she loved.
The unique collaboration of the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, Historic Charleston Foundation and Charleston Park and Recreation Commission to protect and preserve Ashem Farm reflects Mrs. Farrow's personal evolution of thought about preservation, conservation and use for all.
LOWCOUNTRY OPEN LAND TRUST
http://www.lolt.org
A local land conservation non-profit organization preserving natural and rural land throughout the Lowcountry, the Lowcountry Open Land Trust has protected more than 83,000 acres of ecologically, agriculturally, and historically significant land in the past 25 years.
HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION
http://www.historiccharleston.org
Established in 1947, Historic Charleston Foundation is a nonprofit organization preserving and protecting the historical, architectural and material culture that make up Charleston's rich and irreplaceable heritage through active advocacy, participation in community planning, educational and volunteer programs, the preservation of properties, research; and technical and financial assistance programs.
CHARLESTON COUNTY PARK AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
http://www.ccprc.com
Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission improves the quality of life in Charleston County through a diverse system of park facilities, recreation programs and services, and acquisition and stewardship of park land and open space.
Protected Forever
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will conduct a public master planning process for the property, which lies within the city limits of Charleston.
The Park and Recreation Commission (PRC) will engage in discussions with its neighbors at Charles Towne Landing as well as work with the Land Trust and Historic Charleston Foundation to ensure the property is protected forever in the manner in which Mrs. Farrow intended.
It was Mrs. Farrow's wish that part of the property might be used for a garden in memory of her mother as the Emily Simmons Ravenel Garden. In addition to providing public access to the historic, cultural and natural beauty of this property, the waterfront access along Old Towne Creek and the Ashley River could enhance the "Blue Water Trail" planning initiatives already taking place at PRC to expand paddling opportunities for canoeists and kayakers. The site could serve as a critical access point for citizens to paddle the beautiful and historic waterways of Charleston County.
Likewise, the Land Trust will engage in a formal, strategic visioning process to fully maximize the impact of Mrs. Farrow's gift for conservation, a cause that she championed throughout her long life.
"It has been an honor to represent the citizens of Charleston County in acquiring this property for their perpetual
enjoyment." - PRC Executive Director Tom O'Rourke
The Lowcountry's scenic beauty, wetlands, working farms and forests are being saved from destruction thanks to the financial support of our members. Once we receive a conservation easement, our work has just begun. We must document the property at the time of the donation and continuously monitor it each year. Currently, we are responsible for over 83,000 acres!
Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us preserve the Lowcountry landscape.
If you have land that you'd like to consider protecting with a conservation easement, please contact info@lolt.org.
If you'd like more information on how to join us and support our efforts, visit this link to sign-up for mailings.