Above: “Visible/Invisible” by Laura Terry and Phoebe Lickwar, part of Art in its Natural State, a Winthrop Rockefeller Institute program led by Senior Program Officer Payton Christenberry.


Weaving through crowded airport terminals and rushing to board a cramped flight were fairly common activities a short while ago. They certainly were last year when I was privileged enough to join fellow Institute staff on a trip to Kykuit, the old Rockefeller family estate in Pocantico Hills, New York. It was an inspiring trip for many reasons, not the least of which was the ability to look at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute with fresh eyes and a new perspective. It underscored not only the historical significance around Winthrop Rockefeller’s cattle ranch and homestead, but also the significance of perpetuating his methods. 

In the months after our visit to Pocantico Hills, I missed the grandeur of Kykuit. Being a guest in such a historic setting where everything is taken care of, including freshly prepared meals and stately rooms, made the work done there all the easier. It was an amazing experience, structured by stories from the staff we interacted with and the careful upkeep of the estate by the staff we didn’t see.

Now, having spent several months working remotely, away from our own historic mountaintop estate, I again realize how similar our piece of Rockefeller history is to its larger inspiration in New York. Beyond the visits from historical figures or weighty decisions made in eras past, so much of our own work is geared toward making a space for people to do their best work and generate transformative ideas. 

Making space is important for the Rockefeller Ethic, and it encompasses every aspect of the guest experience at the Institute — from the immaculate grounds and the smell of fresh food coming from the kitchen, to the clean sheets in the rooms and the markers on flip charts. Now, with physical distancing guidelines, the space we make looks different. 

Unable to host the large gatherings we would normally hold safely, everyone is adjusting to the current reality. Where we could’ve said there’s no way to convene groups in-person with the current guidelines, we’ve instead worked continually to figure out how to keep ourselves and our guests safe if they want to meet in person. For larger meetings and those who don’t feel safe meeting in-person yet, we are prepared with virtual convenings.

One of our core values at the Institute is to “see the possibilities” and I think our colleagues have done just that. While we can’t wait to host large groups when it is safe to do so, we see the need to continue to fulfill our mission. Like our grounds, it is something historical and precious that we’ve been tasked with sharing with the world. Whether it is six feet apart or through a computer screen, we believe in our mission enough to make space for it in any way we can.

Payton Christenberry

Associate Director of Programspchristenberry@rockefellerinstitute.org(501) 727-6255

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