Cox Farms VA

Mon February 3rd

We are overwhelmed by your kindness and generous offers of support. We have a lot to figure out in the days and weeks ahead, but above all, we are feeling incredibly lucky that it was not worse.

In response to the many questions we have received, the cause of the fire is under investigation but at this time there is no foul play suspected; we believe it was accidental. We lost our chickens but no other animals were harmed. We do not yet know if, when, or how we might rebuild.

Our barn is gone. The Barn Slide is gone. But we will be okay; we have insurance, and the damage was limited. The Corner Market will open at the end of April, and the Fall Festival will go on. We look forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, if you find yourself moved to give, please donate to one of the countless families that lost everything and do not have insurance coverage to rebuild, in Asheville and L.A. and Gaza and beyond. Or support one of the many organizations working to put out the metaphorical fires currently threatening our democracy. Thank you again for your support.
[IMAGE: This is what's left of our barn and the barn slide. There are a few charred wooden beams that remain upright. The final green and blue sections of our big slide are intact, but the rest of the slide is gone. The metal gate to Leona's pen is visible to the left of the slide. Beyond the slide is a smoldering, smoking pile of debris, mostly metal roofing and the charred wooden beams. In the background are some trees and a gray sky.] ... See MoreSee Less

Cox Farms VA

Sun February 2nd

Our beloved barn burned down this morning. The farm caretaker Sam was already up and called it in quickly, and we are thankful for the strong and skilled response of both Loudoun and Fairfax Fire departments. Because of their efforts, the blaze was contained and the damage was limited to the barn itself. We lost about a dozen chickens, a tractor, and, of course, one of our most popular slides, along with the iconic sunflower and other art that decorated the barn. Fortunately, everyone's favorite mama pig Leona only lives at the barn during the fall season, so she was not impacted.

Long before it was home to a giant beanstalk, a half-pipe water slide, and the world's cutest piglets, it was a dairy barn. Built approximately 100 years ago, it was already old when we moved to the farm in 1979, but it served us well, and it has been a sturdy (and beautiful) backdrop for decades. Our landscape won't be the same without it. But mostly, we are so glad that the damage was contained, and our homes and our people are all safe.

[IMAGE: Our iconic red barn with a giant sunflower sculpture and a green slide coming out the side, photographed during the 2011 Fall Festival. Many people are around the barn, and there is a blue sky with puffy white clouds in the background.] ... See MoreSee Less