William D. Rieley

2016 Historic Preservation Medal

For his steadfast dedication to the restoration and preservation of America’s landscape heritage, accomplished with diplomacy and unparalleled creativity.

Proposed by: The Garden Club of Alexandria, Zone VII

Will founded Riely and Associates in 1980 with a practice in historic landscape preservation and “exceptional landscape design.” The firm emphasizes research that contributes to designs honoring the past while accommodating the future. After scholarly research, Will designed the 179-acre Thomas Jefferson Parkway, the gracious and popular entrance to Monticello which has over half a million visitors a year. Other work includes the Carriage Road System at Acadia National Park, gardens and landscapes at Bruton Parish Church, Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s Kitchen Road and Mulberry Row restoration at Monticello, Bay Mon/Rose Hill and the gardens and serpentine brick walls of the University of Virginia, where Will taught for over 20 years. In 2005 the Garden Club of Virginia named the William D. Rieley Fellowship in honor of his work as landscape architect to the GVC.

The Historic Preservation Medal is awarded for outstanding work in the field of preservation and/or restoration of historic gardens or buildings of national importance.

The Historic Preservation Medal was designed in 1973 by Joseph Kiselewski of New York City and endowed by two GCA club members: Elizabeth “Betty” Work Kirby (Mrs. Leonard Kirby: 1910–2007), Jupiter Island Garden Club, Zone VIII, and Erin Bain Leddy Jones (Mrs. John Leddy Jones: 1896–1974), attorney, author, and lay expert on environmental issues, who was a member of Founders Garden Club of Dallas, Zone IX. Originally awarded in 1973, it was the intention of the donors that non-members or groups receive preference in the awarding of this medal.

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