Each year, Earth Day is celebrated around the world with tree plantings, environmentally-friendly events, and outdoor activities. But did you know that Earth Day actually began in Virginia at Airlie, an idyllic retreat in Northern Virginia? 

An Outdoor Paradise Imagined

Airlie was originally dreamed up by Harry Connelly Groome, a wealthy gentleman from Philadelphia who purchased the land in 1899. He promptly began construction on his “Airlie House,” which was named for a castle in Scotland. A three-story grand Georgian Revival structure, the stunning home was surrounded by formal gardens and pastures with purebred livestock.

Unfortunately, a catastrophic fire consumed Airlie House in 1924, but Groome persevered with his dreams of a country estate. He rebuilt the home as a two-story manor house, which stands virtually unchanged to this day. The grounds have also been maintained over the decades, with the boxwood-edged formal gardens nearly identical to the plans and plotting done almost 100 years ago.

Airlie & Activism in America

Airlie

Airlie Hotel

In 1956, Dr. Murdock Head purchased Airlie House and renamed it Airlie Center, repurposing the 300-acre estate into an eco-centric conference center that would officially open in 1961. Only a year after the opening, LIFE Magazine would hail Airlie Center as an “Island of Thought,” recognizing the retreat’s extensive facilities and its ability to attract progressive educators, public health officials, environmental researchers, and social progress organizers. 

The field of social progress was especially noteworthy when it came to Airlie. Numerous local and national Civil Rights activists, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., would gather at the center throughout the 1960s to work towards equality and battle Jim Crow Era laws.

In 1988, Airlie hosted over 150 gay and lesbian leaders that came together for The War Conference to discuss the priorities of the growing LGBT community and political movement. During the same time, the Airlie Productions film company was established and would go on to produce over 250 documentaries urging positive change throughout the world.

The Founding of Earth Day

Airlie

Airlie Grounds

While Earth Day was not formally suggested until 1969, Airlie Center had been leading the way in eco-friendly, sustainable practices since it was founded in 1961. The conference retreat practiced recycling and compost programs long before these actions were widespread. But visitors to the center took note of the environmental practices happening at Airlie and began considering how these ideas could be widely adopted to create a better planet. 

In 1969, Senator Gaylord Nelson presented his idea for an official Earth Day to a group of medical and law students gathering at Airlie. By 1970, April 22 was designated as Earth Day, with over 20 million people participating. This singular event would even contribute to widespread government reforms, with the U.S. government creating the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of 1970. 

Sustainable Practices at Airlie Today

Airlie has continued to strive for ecological excellence, utilizing fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-saving light bulbs throughout the property, practicing responsible land conservation, and protecting the natural habitats of the wildlife native to the region. 

The country estate also features a 20-acre farm that allows the center to grow over 20,000 pounds of produce each year, which is used in the kitchen to craft farm-to-table cuisine for visitors and also donated to local food banks. They raise Berkshire pigs and Angus cattle on 75 acres, producing 12,000 pounds of beef and pork to be used in the kitchens, with the remaining meats available for purchase. 

Airlie’s state-of-the-art conference facilities blend with the surrounding environment, welcoming visitors to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery and pristine views. The estate offers a unique mix of historic charm, impeccable hospitality, luxurious accommodations, and ecologically-responsible practices.

Airlie Today: Celebrating Over 50 Years of Earth Day

LOVEwork at Airlie

LOVEwork at Airlie

In 2020, Earth Day officially turned 50 years old, marking an incredible milestone in both Virginia history and eco-friendly practices. With the foundation of the world’s largest environmental movement, Airlie and the Commonwealth of Virginia put itself on the map as an ecologically-responsible destination.

Today, Airlie acts as a picturesque meeting space, a stunning wedding venue, and a quiet retreat destination for visitors looking for a nature-filled getaway in Northern Virginia. Meanwhile, Earth Day has grown into an annual event with over 1 billion people participating in over 190 countries.

Want to know more about Virginia’s lesser-known history? Check out our full series of But Did You Know... stories. 

But Did You Know...