A Heightened View of the Temple Hall Farm Corn Maize Near Leesburg

The experience began on a clear cool September morning with a drive north from Leesburg on Route 15. After traveling about five miles, we turned onto Temple Hall Farm Road, and into the quiet and expansive beauty of a preserved, yet operational Loudoun County farm, courtesy of a local benefactor, Mrs. James H. Symington. 

The Symingtons purchased the 286-acre Temple Farm Hall in the 1940's. They undertook operation of the farm, and set about restoring the 1810 mansion, which was built by William Temple Thomson Mason, the son of Thomson Mason of Raspberry Plains, and the nephew of George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Mrs. Symington donated the farm to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in 1985. 

Visible on the ground were the mansion, barns, fencing and access to the maize–a large field of green corn stalks, heavy with ears of corn, which rise to heights of nine feet or more.

Next came the short but thrilling look at the corn maize, farm and surrounding area from above, in a four-person helicopter – without doors. The corn maize design was precise, and the view of the hills and nearby meandering Potomac River gave perspective to the location, and the area's homes and farms. A video of the maize and Temple Hall Farm from that helicopter flight is available on line at www.loudouni.com.

The 2009 Temple Hall Farm Corn Maize celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. In addition to NVRPA and Temple Hall Farm wording, " 50 Years" is at the center of the corn maize design. Also depicted are various themes and activities available at the 22 parks in the NVRPA system, from kayaking to golfing, horseback riding to roasting marshmallows, to a pig with racing silks that represents the activities offered at Temple Hall Farm.

This year, 2009 also marks the 10th anniversary of the Temple Hall Farm Maize, and at 24 acres, the largest maize in the series.

Efforts begin each June when the corn is planted, so that by the beginning of fall–in time for the maize–the corn has reached heights of nine feet or more. The maize pattern is marked-off some three weeks after planting, when small corn plants are sprayed and killed to achieve the maize design.

Visitors are aided in their efforts to navigate the maize by using a selection of passports, and by properly answering questions found on numbered posts placed throughout the maize. Correct answers direct travelers to the next numbered post, until passing through the maize is completed. Passports are available on a variety of topics as well as age appropriate questions, including Boy Scouting, Girl Scouting, 4-H, and the 50th Anniversary of the park authority. NVPA employees, the "Corn Cops," are available to provide assistance when needed to those who finds themselves "lost" in the maize.

In addition to the challenge and inherent fun of the Corn Maize visitors are invited to experience a number of Temple Hall Farm’s Fall Festival activities, all included in the price of admission. Visitors may ride a cow train, take a hayride, shoot corn cannons, or “blast” pumpkins, as well as watch the pig races–or the latest feature, the "jumping pillows"–an outdoor moon bounce experience.

Temple Hall Farm Corn Maize is open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays now through Nov. 1, both daytime and night time hours of operation. Daytime hours are Friday, 4-6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nighttime admission is Fridays and Saturdays 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Daytime admission prices are ages 3-11, $10; ages 12 and older, $12; and Seniors (55+), $10. Nighttime admission prices range from ages 3-11, $7; ages 12 and older, $9. Children ages 2 and under and seniors (55+) are admitted free.

Information on the Corn Maize and Temple Hall Farm is available online at www.nvrpa.org/parks/templehall, or call 703-779-9372.