February 24, 2026
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Ross Hall
When Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon passed away in 2014, there was a collective hope that her library and estate could be established as a “study center” under the auspices of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) in Virginia. In 2016, renowned botanist Sir Peter Crane, FRS, and his wife Elinor were given the opportunity to bring this vision to life.
Over the past decade, buildings have been constructed and renovated, the garden has been rescued, and diverse programs have been implemented. OSGF has developed an extraordinary focus on Bunny Mellon’s passion for plants, gardens, and landscapes, while making full use of the main residence and garden, more than 100 buildings on 700 rural acres, and the treasures of her spectacular library.
Join President of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation Peter Crane as he shares the many surprising discoveries of this special place in the Virginia Piedmont—from Mrs. Mellon’s unfinished projects to the sheer diversity of her collections—further revealing the life of a restlessly creative and remarkable woman whose life spanned almost the entire 20th century.
CEUs available: LA CES and APLD
Sir Peter Crane, FRS, is President of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Virginia, an estate of Rachel Lambert Mellon that includes an exquisite garden as well as an exceptional library focused on the history of plant science, plant exploration, and the development of gardens and landscape design. He is known internationally for his work on the diversity of plant life.
Location Ross Hall