Anne Perry, “The Origin and Significance of Green Acre as a Center of Baha’i Learning”

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Established in 1890 as an inn and dedicated in 1894 to the ideals of peace and religious pluralism, Green Acre has a fascinating history, a rich present, and a promising future. The presenter will offer details about its founder, Sarah Farmer, and describe how it went from a platform for almost any persuasion to a Baha’i center of learning, was visited by Abdu’l-Baha in 1912, became the site of the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada, and has since operated under the auspices of the Baha’i Faith. Today it stands as a dynamic, inclusive educational center focused primarily on community building, racial unity, and the arts.

Anne Perry (born Anne Gordon) is a member of the Baha’i Faith and an academic who has been a part of the community for over 45 years She holds a Ph.D. in Aesthetic Studies and teaches art appreciation and humanities at Dallas College. A passionate artist and writer, she co-created the documentary films “Luminous Journey: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America, 1912” and “‘Abdu’l-Baha in France” with her husband Tim Perry and has a deep interest in subjects like Sarah Farmer and Green Acre, the earliest Baha’i center of education in the United States. Anne was the primary author and editor of Green Acre on the Piscataqua and has published articles and books about Sarah Farmer and Green Acre history.