Fruits of Freedom

Plant a fruit tree at Gunston Hall in honor of America’s and Virginia Declaration of Rights’ 250th birthdays.

" I take this opportunity, by my Son, of sending you a few of the Portugal, & best kind of rare-ripe Peach Stones. Almost all of my Portugal peaches were stolen this Year, before they were ripe; but I saved the few Stones I send you myself, & know they are the true sort."

George Mason to Thomas Jefferson on 6 October 1780

Help us raise $10,000 this spring

Gunston Hall’s horticulturist, Aidan Kelley, has been imagining our Riverside Garden orchards as they were in the late 1700s. He pictures peaches, “the true sort” that George Mason sent to Thomas Jefferson to plant at Monticello, in addition to bountiful plums, pears, apples, crab apples, quinces, cherries and grapes. He thinks of the harvests the Mason family enjoyed here over 250 years ago, as well as the shade, pollinator habitat, and serene setting the orchards provided.

Today, Aidan is imagining Gunston Hall’s Riverside Garden 5+ years from now. He envisions it overflowing with the same fruit and berry trees and shrubs that once blossomed beautifully here. He knows this will take time, so he’s created a multi-year tree and shrub planting schedule to restore the orchards to their former glory. Of course we had to name the plan “FRUITS OF FREEDOM!”

We ask for your support to turn that vision into reality.

Please consider donating to our FRUITS OF FREEDOM campaign to plant fruit orchards worthy of the Mason family legacy. Our goal is to raise as much as possible by Virginia Historic Garden Week this April 18 – 25, 2026.

You can donate a fruit tree, berry shrub, or even a 250^th Birthday bench, and watch your gift “grow” for another 50+ years at founding father George Mason’s Gunston Hall.

What a patriotic and fruitful way to celebrate our nation’s and Virginia Declaration of Rights 250^th!

From the entire Gunston Hall team, we thank you!

Fruits of Freedom Options

$25 - Purchase a tree-guard to protect a sapling
$250 - Provide a single fruit/berry sapling or shrub, installation, mulch/compost, pest control and associated expenses
$2,500 – Sponsor a 250th Birthday Bench. With your gift, Gunston Hall will install a 6-foot bench near or in the Riverside Garden. Each bench will offer a peaceful place to rest and enjoy the natural beauty of Gunston Hall. Includes a personalized inscription, such as names, dates, or heartfelt message.
Other – Donate any amount to help fund Riverside Garden materials and upkeep