Plantation on market for first time in 113 years

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In 1964, following the death of President John F. Kennedy, Mrs. Kennedy sought a peaceful refuge at Greenwood. In her note of gratitude to the Whitney’s, Mrs. Kennedy called it the house she loved more than any other she had ever been in. Mark L. Atwater of Upclose Photo

November 19, 2012

Plantation on market for first time in 113 years

Staff report CNHI The Times Enterprise Mon Nov 19, 2012, 04:58 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — Preserved and protected since the 1800s by some of the nation’s most prominent businessmen and first conservationists, the 4,844 acre Greenwood Plantation, deemed by conservationists to be one of the country’s most treasured privately held properties, is now for sale.

Greenwood is widely regarded as the centerpiece of the historic southern plantations, located in a coveted belt of approximately 125 plantations between Tallahassee, Fla., and Thomasville. This region, named the Red Hills for its fertile red soils and rolling topography, encompasses an area of 330,000 acres and has attracted visitors and VIPs from around the world because of its wild quail.

Jon Kohler & Associates, the leading plantation advisory firm and land brokerage in the Southeast, represents Greentree Foundation in the exclusive offering.

“Jon Kohler shares our commitment to finding the right buyer who will continue to provide extraordinary stewardship of Greenwood’s rare ecosystems, as well as appreciate its architecture and history,” stated Greentree Foundation President Richard Schaffer.

Greentree Foundation is a nonprofit organization created by Betsey Whitney following the death of her husband, John Hay Whitney, of the Payne and Whitney families of Cleveland and New York. When Betsey Whitney died in 1998, Greentree Foundation took over ownership of Greenwood. Colonel Oliver H. Payne purchased Greenwood in 1899 and it has not been on the market in 113 years.

See Tuesday's edition for more details.