Libby Devlin and her siblings, sixth-generation owners of Rockland Farm, have long valued education, innovation, and community involvement. As they learned more about the Northern Virginia Science Center's vision, they chose to become Element Partners in support of those shared values. The partnership with the Science Center represents a chance to create meaningful STEM experiences for future generations. That commitment is rooted in her family’s history of curiosity, scientific thinking, and innovation.
As Libby explains, "There's a long history of the people who grew up at Rockland that have given a lot to the community (including the Rust Library, Rust Sanctuary, and Ida Lee Park) but were also involved in the science field." Her great grandfather, Henry Bedinger Rust, along with his brothers, founded Rust Engineering Company in Pittsburgh and invented the Rust Boiler in 1902. Her father, Henry B. R. Brown, a chemistry major, co-created the first money market fund in the early 1970s. The tradition continues in Libby’s daughters: one is an electrical engineer in Philadelphia, Abby is an environmental scientist working for Loudoun County Parks and Recreation and Sage, who operates a sustainable flower farm at Rockland. For Libby, that family history underscores the importance of creating opportunities for young learners to explore and develop their interests in science.
Through her work with the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Libby has seen the power of hands-on learning. Whether observing wildlife, exploring natural resources or experimenting with new ideas, children learn best through direct engagement with the world around them. Libby believes those experiences build the confidence and problem-solving skills needed to tackle complex challenges while opportunities to "think outside the box" help people develop that inquisitiveness further.
As the family considered how they wished to be recognized on the periodic table donor wall at the Northern Virginia Science Center, they looked for an element that reflected those beliefs. That search led them to bromine (Br), in honor of their father, Henry Bedinger Rust Brown. The connection became especially meaningful when Libby found an old yearbook in which was written, "BR = Brown = Bromine." What began as a connection to his initials became a reminder of his lifelong interest in science and the curiosity he inspired in Libby and her siblings.
Through their partnership with the Northern Virginia Science Center, Libby and her siblings are helping others experience the same spirit of exploration and learning that has influenced their family for generations. They hope the Science Center will inspire people across the region to ask bigger questions, pursue new ideas, and become tomorrow's innovators.
The Northern Virginia Science Center couldn’t be more excited to welcome Rockland Farm as partners in this important initiative. If this story has inspired you to consider honoring your family with a legacy gift to the Science Center, please reach out to Jenn Brunner, Chief Advancement Officer, at cao@childsci.org.
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