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Purchase of Ivy Neck for Scientific Research Purposes

The Secretary reported that adjacent to the Java Farm property in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, which was acquired through the recent Forrest bequest and is being retained for scientific research purposes, there is a large tract of land which has been held by the Calhoun family for over 150 years. It is now the sole property of Miss Calhoun, who is trying to have it used as a sanctuary and preserve. John Hopkins University is interested in collaborating with the Smithsonian in applying for a grant from the Ford Foundation, which is now becoming interested in conservation. The grant proposal would finance the purchase of certain portions of the property. In addition, it is proposed to enter into an agreement with the remaining cousins and heirs for the balance of the property on a lease basis. The Secretary expressed hopes that the grant will be approved. It will be a pioneer effort for the Ford Foundation in the field of conversation.

The market value of the property is twice the amount the Secretary proposes to pay. Over the long term, the purchase of this land which includes 8 1/2 miles of shoreline along the coast of western Chesapeake Bay will give us an immensely valuable tract. The Secretary is convinced that the encouraging advice received from Johns Hopkins, the National Institutes of Health, and other authorities is sound and that this is a magnificent opportunity.

The grant includes funds for operating and maintaining the property. Since we already have a guard patrolling Java Farm, he could readily extend his patrol to Ivy Neck. The acreage of Ivy Neck is about 520 acres and he concluded that operation of the Center would be largely self-liquidating because the scientists performing research would have their work financed by grants.

*Potential Gift by Joseph H. Hirshhorn

Mr. Ripley states that Joseph H. Hirshhorn, an industrialist and a collector of 
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*The cooperation of the Regents is respectfully requested in keeping confidential the potential gift until it has been accepted by President Johnson.