Re-Rooted and Rising

Dear supporters,

There are certain places that stay with you.

Not because of what’s built on them, but because of what’s felt there. The quiet mornings. The

sound of laughter drifting across the trees. The moments where something shifts in a young

person, and you can almost feel it in the land itself. Perry-Mansfield is one of those places.

For over 100 years, this land has held something rare. Generations of artists, teachers, and young

people have come here to grow, not just in their craft, but as humans. Long before it was a trend

to talk about “arts in nature” or holistic education, this place was already doing it, quietly,

consistently, and with heart. And now, we have a chance to protect it. Forever.

We are working to place Perry-Mansfield into a historic conservation easement, ensuring that this

land will never be developed, that its open space remains intact, and that its purpose as a place of

creativity, education, and connection continues long after we are gone.

This isn’t just about preservation. It’s about a decision. A decision to put community over

convenience. History over short-term gain. Legacy over uncertainty. At a time when so much is

changing so quickly, this is our chance to say: this place matters, and it will remain. But we have

to act now.

We are on an accelerated timeline to complete the easement, and we must raise $150,000 in

upfront costs to get it across the finish line—covering legal, appraisal, and conservation

requirements. What makes this moment extraordinary is what that investment can become.

Through the conservation easement and potential tax credits, a gift today has the power to

multiply in meaningful ways:

A $10,000 contribution can become $100,000 in lasting impact.

A $100,000 gift can grow into $1,000,000 for the future of this institution.

This donation is a way to turn intention into something permanent.

If successful, those funds will help build a long-term endowment—one that not only protects the

land, but sustains the programs, access, and opportunities that make Perry-Mansfield what it is.

Because this place isn’t meant to be preserved like a museum. It’s meant to stay alive.

To continue welcoming young people from this valley and beyond. To keep shaping lives.

To carry forward the legacy of those who came before us, while making space for those still to

come.

This is a rare moment, one where we can make a decision that will echo for generations. And like

all meaningful things, it takes a community.

We invite you to stand with us in this, to be part of protecting not just a piece of land, but a way

of life.

With gratitude and shared purpose,

Deena Selko

Executive Director

Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp

Conservation Easement

Perry-Mansfield's Conservation Easement Initiative