As we honor the McCauslands, Bonnie and Peter, Chris and Elizabeth, we appreciate their impact on Chestnut Hill now and far into its future.
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The Shirley Hanson Founder’s Award, given by the Chestnut Hill Conservancy every five years, recognizes inspiring figures in conservation and preservation. It highlights their work and encourages others to follow their examples.
As we honor the McCauslands, Bonnie and Peter, Chris and Elizabeth, we appreciate their impact on Chestnut Hill now and far into its future.
In 2009, Peter McCausland learned that Erdenheim Farm was for sale. Most of Erdenheim Farm had been in continuous use as a farm since the arrival of William Penn.
The possibility of 400 houses erasing the historic farm gripped him. Protecting and preserving Erdenheim Farm became a passion. Peter has expressed gratitude to Edith Dixon, the farm’s owner at the time, and to the Whitemarsh Foundation, and to Natural Lands, a nonprofit that saves open space, for their roles in making his ownership possible.
Today the farm includes more than 475 acres, including those owned by the Whitemarsh Foundation. Virtually all of Erdenheim Farm is protected by conservation easements from all but the most limited development.
Peter and Bonnie McCausland’s work began with restoring the farm’s 44 buildings with great care. Much of the restoration has been done to original specifications. It now encompasses a dazzling array of uses. It embraces Cheviot and Dorper sheep, Black Angus cattle, thoroughbred horses, rare goats, and honey bees.
Peter McCausland is initiating possible uses for the farm to make it more accessible. COVID has curtailed some uses, but not his vision. One example is the museum on the farm that is taking shape.
We see the McCauslands and the Conservancy as participants in a Circle of Conservation that embraces the 475 acres of Erdenheim Farm along with surrounding communities such as Chestnut Hill, Whitemarsh Township, Springfield Township, and many more.
For all who live and work in neighboring communities like Chestnut Hill, Erdenheim Farm heightens our feeling of well-being. It inspires us to greater preservation and conservation activity. We ask ourselves, “What more can we do?”
The McCauslands challenged themselves “to find a way for the farm to exist and get better in perpetuity.” The Erdenheim Farm Foundation is providing answers, and we are proud to recognize them.
Shirley Hanson is a co-founder of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and current chair of its preservation committee
