Director M. Night Shyamalan says ‘Action!’ on move to conserve historic Willistown land – The Mercury

The views at the Kirkwood farm property are among its most precious charms, trust officials said.

WILLISTOWN — In March, it was reported that a large estate in the center of horse country in eastern Chester County had been sold to a private buyer, but that its new owner had decided not to make it open to development, easing the fears of those in the local preservation community.

At the time, the buyer’s name was not publicly disclosed. But on Thursday, a land preservation organization that will benefit from the purchase of about half of the 218-acre Kirkwood Farm property disclosed that the new owner is acclaimed film director M. Night Shyamalan, who owns a sprawling estate adjacent to the land.

The total purchase price, which was reported at around $9 million, was aided by a taxpayer-funded grant from Chester County through its Preservation Partnership Program, which offers funding to municipalities and nonprofit land preservation organizations. WCT has already received funding for this project from private donors in addition to a $500,000 grant awarded by the Chester County Commissioners that will go toward the anticipated $9 million purchase price and additional endowment.

The Willistown Conservation Trust announced its acquisition of 90 acres of the historic Kirkwood Farm property on Wednesday and added that Shyamalan was the owner who agreed to the deal which will mean its conservation as a public nature preserve.

According to its press release, Kirkwood Farm — located on Plumsock and Providence roads across from the Willistown Conservation Trust headquarters — was originally listed for sale during the fall of last year, and in March 2023, movie director and screenwriter Shyamalan purchased it, ensuring that its 218 acres would not be lost to development.

The trust, which owns and manages other preserves in the southern end of the township along the border with Delaware County, had been invested in Kirkwood Farm’s fate for years, and the environmental nonprofit worked with Shyamalan to finalize its sale and plan for its future — a future that now includes further protective measures and this vision for a preserve, as outlined in the agreement of sale signed on June 2.

“The chance to acquire and protect another portion of Kirkwood Farm is a dream come true for Willistown Conservation Trust,” said Kate Etherington, WCT president and executive director. “This future preserve will be an incredible asset to our community by providing public open space for all to enjoy while protecting its abundant natural resources for generations to come.”

Board Chairman John Stoviak added, “We are very grateful to Willistown Township, Chester County, Firstrust Bank, and WCT’s supporters for helping WCT pursue this game-changing opportunity.”

Shyamalan, although born in India, has a long connection with the Philadelphia area. He was raised in Lower Merion, attended school at the Episcopal Academy, and set his first two thrillers — “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable” — in Philadelphia. His 2004 film, “The Village,” was filmed in Pennsbury. He could not be reached for comment on the move.

Originally 550 acres and owned by descendants of the Rockefeller family with a history that can be traced back to the 1700s, Kirkwood Farm sits at the heart of the Willistown countryside. Prior to its sale, it had been owned by the Rockefeller family for more than 100 years. In 2004, WCT helped save a portion of the farm by purchasing and protecting 95 acres as nearby Kirkwood Preserve, 855 Grubbs Mill Road in Newtown Square.

The future preserve’s beauty and natural resources include rolling hills and grasslands, mature woodlands, and two headwater tributaries to Ridley Creek designated as High Quality Waters by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The land provides prime habitat for numerous species of wildlife and includes critical areas for declining numbers of nesting and migratory birds.

It is also an important connective piece between other local public preserves — including Rushton Woods Preserve, Kirkwood Preserve, and Okehocking Preserve — and once the trust establishes new trails here, it will enhance the greater network of hiking and riding trails enjoyed by so many. Additionally,  the organization intends to restore habitat, create stream buffers, and plant native wildflower meadows to benefit wildlife.

The Willistown Trust has already received funding for this project from private donors, in addition to a $500,000 grant awarded by the Chester County commissioners that will go toward the anticipated $9 million purchase price and additional endowment.

In the release, Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline said that “The beauty of Kirkwood Farm can be found in both its spectacular landscape and vistas, as well as its ability to be publicly accessible in the near future, with planned parking and connections to surrounding preserved land. We are very pleased to partner with Willistown Conservation Trust on this project and thank them for their diligence in ensuring this portion of Kirkwood Farm remains forever protected.”

The 90 acres are not open to the public at this time. To learn more about this preserve in the making, please visit the trust’s website at wctrust.org.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.