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The historic River Farm, located just along the Potomac River and a few miles south of Old Town Alexandria was once part of George Washington’s original Mount Vernon holdings. Washington purchased the land in 1760 and developed it as part of his “Five Farms” system. Today, River Farm serves as the national headquarters of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), which acquired the property in the early 1970s with support from philanthropist Enid Annenberg Haupt. At the center of the grounds stands the historic manor house—originally built in the mid-18th century, later expanded in the early 20th century with elegant features like a ballroom and parlor overlooking the Potomac. The grounds also feature unique elements like an 18th‑century ha‑ha wall, historic White House gates from 1819, and legacy trees planted by Washington and his secretary Tobias Lear—such as black walnut, Kentucky coffee, and Osage orange. River Farm is open to the public daily with free admissions and offers a mix of Washington‑era history, horticultural excellence, and scenic riverfront beauty—making it an inviting destination for history buffs, garden lovers, families, and event planners alike.