Great Meadow was founded through the vision of news executive and philanthropist Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel in 1982. Arundel purchased an abandoned farm then slated to become a housing development for perpetual preservation of open space. The concept for Great Meadow grew out of several converging forces of the 1980’s, primarily urban growth pressure on farmland near Washington, the opening of I-66 and the simultaneous loss of the former Virginia Gold Cup course in Warrenton to subdivision development.

Since our inception we have been the permanent home for the Virginia Gold Cup and Family 4th of July celebrations. Over the years we have added several more community events, ranging from Twilight Polo to the Virginia State Cross Country Tournaments. We continue to look for new ways to promote the open space in an environmentally friendly way and serve the community at our utmost best.