Great Meadow Foundation

Great Meadow is a 374-acre expanse of preserved open land in The Plains, Virginia, in the heart of the state's Horse and Hunt Country and about 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. Founded in 1983 by journalist and conservationist Arthur "Nick" Arundel, the property was transformed from an abandoned farm into permanent green space and placed under a conservation easement with the backing of 100 Founding Life Members. Today the Great Meadow Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operates the grounds as an outdoor events center, hosting equestrian competitions, festivals, community gatherings, and weddings across its rolling hills and open meadows. Couples can choose separate on-site locations for ceremony and reception and bring in their own vendors, with tented receptions set beneath open sky. Because the Foundation is a nonprofit, rental fees support its ongoing work preserving open space and advancing equestrian sport, and event proceeds may qualify as a tax deduction for renters.