Preserving the Past, Cultivating the Future
Explore the living history, agriculture, and conservation efforts at the historic Clermont Farm.
A Living Legacy of History, Education & Stewardship
Clermont Farm is a historic, 360-acre property in Clarke County, Virginia, dedicated to education, preservation, and community enrichment. Established in 1742, Clermont is a working farm and a living classroom where history, agriculture, and land stewardship come together. Operated by the Clermont Foundation in partnership with the farm’s owner, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the farm offers educational programs, research opportunities, and public events that connect people to the region’s deep cultural and agricultural roots.
Elizabeth Rust Williams' Enduring Gift to the Commonwealth of Virginia
Elizabeth Rust Williams, a farmer, preservationist, lawyer, and judge, preserved her family’s 360-acre Clermont Farm so future generations could connect with Virginia’s land and history. Upon her death in 2004, she donated the property to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and established The Clermont Foundation to support and manage the site without state funding. Her legacy also honors the lives of the nearly 200 enslaved people who built Clermont and whose descendants helped form Josephine City, Berryville, now the home to the region’s only African American museum.
Explore the Grounds.
Learn About the Farm.
Happenings on the Farm
Meet the People Who Lived & Worked on Clermont Farm
Clermont’s story is shaped by the lives of those who called it home and those who labored on its land. Explore the experiences of property owners, enslaved individuals, tenant farmers, and free people who lived and worked here across generations. Their voices and contributions are central to understanding the farm’s complex and evolving history.
-
Clermont Farm was owned by just four families over its 250-year history, each leaving a distinct mark on the land, the home, and the region’s unfolding story.
-
Enslaved men, women, and children lived and labored at Clermont for over a century, shaping the farm’s operations and leaving a legacy that is still being uncovered and acknowledged today.
-
Tenant farmers lived, worked, and managed the entire 360-acre property on shares during the 19th and 20th centuries. They contributed to the farm’s continued agricultural use, prosperity, and reflected broader shifts in rural labor after emancipation.
-
Farm employees, including skilled laborers, tradesmen, and domestic workers, played important roles in the daily life and maintenance of Clermont, helping to sustain the farm across generations.
Stay Informed
Stay connected with Clermont Farm Foundation. Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates directly to your inbox.
Finding Descendants
Help the Clermont Foundation preserve and share the story of Clermont Farm. If you or someone you know lived or worked here, we’d love to hear your story.