Belwin Conservancy Acquiring Property to Jump-Start Art & Nature Program

The Meadowlark
Fall, 2008

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The Belwin Conservancy is thrilled to announce that we are in the process of raising funds to acquire a key property at the northwest portion of the preserve. The 12-acre parcel contains three buildings and is near the area where Valley Creek enters Lake Edith. The Belwin Conservancy has the property under contract, with closing to occur before the end of 2008.

Besides being a strategic property for our preserve, it is important historically. Its former owner was Father George Metcalf, who served during World War II as General George S. Patton’s army chaplain. He was perhaps most famous for writing a prayer at General Patton’s command beseeching God stop the blizzard that was preventing Patton’s 3rd Army from entering Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

This beautiful property and its view of Valley Creek will be the centerpiece of the Belwin Conservancy's Art & Nature program.

Father Metcalf designed the three buildings on the property to serve as a retreat and wanted each to capitalize on its spectacular natural setting. For years, he broadcast religious services around the globe from this location. He constructed an extensive radio transmission facility on the site for this purpose, although it has since been removed. For years, the property was visited and known by listeners from all over the world.

Because Father Metcalf designed the property to be used as a retreat, it offers a unique opportunity for the Belwin Conservancy to launch our Art & Nature program. For some time, we have been working with the art community to develop an artist–in–residence program that will allow artists of all disciplines a chance to spend time in the tranquility found here. The Belwin Conservancy can serve as both an inspiration and a venue for artists to share their work with visitors and demonstrate how nature is important for sustaining not only our physical existence, but our spiritual one as well.

The Metcalf family has been an excellent steward of Father Metcalf’s original intent. We are happy to honor their long-standing commitment to public service. The facilities at this site will be perfect for our Art & Nature program and will save Belwin thousands of dollars by not having to construct similar facilities elsewhere.