Mr. Smith was a philanthropic visionary in the Washington D.C. region.  Many organizations, including Oatlands, benefited from his gifts.  We cannot begin to express our gratitude to Mr. Smith and his family for their help in securing the purchase of 68 acres of land, protecting it from development that would have encroached on the Oatlands property.

At the dedication of the Robert H. Smith Preserve in 2004, Mr. Smith remarked that "This wonderful event to honor our combined efforts reminds us of Virginia's history and heritage, for it was in Virginia that founding concepts of this great nation were born."  The founding concepts of this nation had no better representative than Robert H. Smith, who will be deeply missed.  His legacy will live on through his many philanthropic efforts.  Oatlands is proud to be home to part of that legacy in the form of the Robert H. Smith Preserve.