Gala Honoree Surprises Organization with $5 Million Gift

Alexandria, VA – Over 200 guests were surprised at the American Horticultural Society’s elegant September gala with the announcement of a $5 million endowment by Board of Directors member and AHS Gold Medal Award winner Marcia Zech to further AHS’s work.

Co-chaired by Lauren Bishop, a realtor with McEnearney Associates, and Skipp Calvert, a longtime member of the AHS Board of Directors, the event brought together 230 attendees from across the country to honor two luminaries and raise over $225,000 to support AHS’s outreach and educational programs and the stewardship and preservation of its River Farm headquarters.

Zech was awarded the prestigious AHS Gold Medal for her unwavering dedication and transformative impact on the AHS. A cherished member of the AHS Board of Directors for 13 years, She has been instrumental in championing the mission of the AHS, ensuring its financial sustainability, and safeguarding its historic River Farm headquarters.

In 2021, her extraordinary commitment was exemplified by a monumental $1 million donation to stabilize the organization after she and four other board members averted the sale of this historic property. She retired from the AHS Board this year.

In a tribute to her enduring legacy, Tim Conlon, Board Treasurer, announced that Marcia has established the AHS Endowment with a $5 million gift to ensure the AHS’s long-term financial health and stability. The donor-restricted endowment will remain vested to increase it to $10 million. Inspired by Marcia’s donation,

Jane Diamantis, a former AHS Board member, and her husband George made the first additional contribution to the Endowment with a $75,000 gift.

Beyond her substantial financial contributions, “Marcia’s passion, strategic vision, wisdom, encouraging words, and kindness are what make her legendary,” explains Suzanne Laporte, President and CEO of the AHS. “She has shown great leadership in so many ways.”

Then, the American Daylily Society surprised Zech when they unveiled a new daylily cultivar named Hemerocallis Marcia Zech, celebrating her profound love for these flowers and outstanding commitment and service to horticulture.

The gala also honored the late Jim Nau with the esteemed Liberty Hyde Bailey Award, AHS’s highest horticultural honor, presented posthumously in recognition of his lifetime achievements in horticulture. Nau’s illustrious career spanned 37 years at Ball Horticultural Company, where he was revered as a plant expert, writer, historian, and garden designer.

Nau passed away in June 2023. His award was accepted by his sister, Cheryl Bergren, who movingly expressed, “He didn’t have a job. He had a calling,” encapsulating Jim’s profound dedication to his craft and his inspiring legacy that continues to resonate within the horticultural community.

With sweeping views of River Farm’s beautiful gardens and softly illuminated trees overlooking the Potomac River, guests were treated to an exquisite cocktail reception featuring signature libations and the melodic tunes of jazz trio The Little Big Band. Afterward, guests enjoyed a sumptuous multi-course dinner created by Design Cuisine Catering, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the 24K band.

Additional notable attendees included local officials State Senator Scott Surovell and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck, Mount Vernon Director of Horticulture and Livestock Dean Norton, and celebrity Monte Durham.

Guests were delighted to receive an assortment of daylilies as a keepsake from this memorable night.

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