NEWS
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Cultivating Knowledge at Elm Court:
Penn State Master Gardeners Return
Elm Court was once again delighted to welcome the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Butler County for an educational tour of the estate’s gardens and grounds. This marks the fourth year that Elm Court has hosted the group, continuing a growing tradition of collaboration that reflects the FRK Foundation’s commitment to stewardship, education, and the sharing of knowledge.
The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are a volunteer organization of 142 members in Butler County, supporting horticultural education across the Commonwealth. Collectively, they contribute more than 5,000 hours of service annually in their communities - tending educational gardens, leading school programs, answering questions from the public, and offering hands-on learning opportunities.
Part of their mission is to continually deepen their own horticultural expertise, which they achieve through ongoing training, webinars, seminars, and experiential tours like those at Elm Court. Over the years, our gardens have become a classroom for their dedicated volunteers, providing opportunities to explore espalier pruning, tree conservation practices, dahlias, pest and disease management, and pond maintenance, among other subjects.
This year’s visit brought 23 volunteers to Elm Court, where they engaged with our grounds and team to expand their knowledge and carry those lessons back into their communities. As Diane Dallos, Program Coordinator, shared, Elm Court’s tours have become a valued part of the Master Gardeners’ continuing education.
The FRK Foundation is proud to support partnerships such as this, which nurture a deeper understanding of horticulture and conservation while celebrating the importance of education and volunteerism. By opening Elm Court to groups like the Penn State Master Gardeners, we continue our mission to foster learning, inspire stewardship, and contribute to the flourishing of communities both near and far.
September 2025
The FRK Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Jonathan Dreher as Head Gardener at Elm Court, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in sustainable landscape design, historical restoration, and community-focused horticultural practice.
Dreher’s appointment marks a significant step in the Foundation’s commitment to stewarding its historic properties with environmental sensitivity, artistic vision, and cultural reverence. As Elm Court continues its restoration and activation as a site of heritage, learning, and beauty, Jonathan will lead the restoration and long-term care of its distinguished gardens, ensuring they thrive as living expressions of Mr. Koch’s legacy and values.
ABOUT JONATHAN DREHER
Jonathan began his career in archaeological fieldwork, where a passion for place, time, and cultural landscapes first took root. Over the years, he has founded and led multiple landscape design companies, including Dreher Garden Design, through which he has delivered award-winning projects recognised for their sustainable innovation. His accolades include LEED Platinum certification, the Pennsylvania Downtown Centre’s TOWNIE Award, and the Phipps Conservatory Sustainable Design Award for rainwater collection.
His work blends historical awareness with ecological responsibility, making him uniquely suited to shape Elm Court’s future as both a heritage estate and a site of contemporary relevance.
Beyond his design credentials, Jonathan is a committed community advocate, having served on shade tree commissions, civil service boards, and preservation initiatives across Pennsylvania. His leadership in public greening, pedestrian infrastructure, and environmental education aligns closely with the Foundation’s mission to foster civic and cultural vitality through thoughtful stewardship.
Jonathan’s role as Head Gardener advances the Foundation’s broader mission to preserve architectural and landscape heritage, cultivate spaces that inspire reflection and learning, and embody a lasting commitment to artistic and environmental excellence.
“Elm Court is a remarkable place,” Jonathan says. “Its gardens are both historic and full of possibility. I’m honoured to contribute to their future in a way that respects the past while embracing sustainable design.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As Elm Court reclaims its place as a cultural and horticultural landmark, Jonathan’s leadership will guide the transformation of its grounds into a vibrant intersection of heritage and innovation. Plans include:
-
Restoration of formal and informal gardens with native and historic plantings.
-
Integration of sustainable practices such as rainwater capture and soil regeneration.
-
Seasonal public programming and educational outreach in partnership with local organisations.
Under his guidance, Elm Court’s gardens will become living expressions of the Foundation’s values - beautiful, educational, and enduring.
7 July 2025
The FRK Foundation welcomes
Jonathan Dreher
as Head Gardener at Elm Court
The FRK Foundation (Frederick R. Koch Foundation) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Cahalane as Inventory Curator, bringing with him more than three decades of senior experience in collections management, logistics, and operational excellence from the world’s leading fine art institutions.
Cahalane’s appointment marks a pivotal step in the Foundation’s broader strategy to catalogue, digitise, and preserve its exceptional holdings, while laying the groundwork for public-facing initiatives including travelling exhibitions, scholarly access programs, and curated digital experiences.
With a career anchored by over 25 years at Sotheby’s London, culminating in roles such as European Inventory Director and Deputy Director, Registrars and Collections, Cahalane is uniquely positioned to lead the meticulous stewardship of the Foundation’s diverse and historically significant collections. His skillset combines technical fluency in SAP and warehouse management systems with a deep understanding of fine art handling, conservation logistics, and global standards in inventory practice.
Cahalane says, “It is an honour to join The FRK Foundation at such a dynamic moment in its evolution. Mr. Koch’s collection represents not only artistic excellence but also a legacy of cultural patronage. I look forward to applying my experience to help realise the Foundation’s vision: to make its holdings more accessible through digital innovation, curatorial rigour, and ambitious future programming.”
ABOUT JOHN CAHALANE
John Cahalane is a seasoned collections and operations leader with extensive experience across the UK and European auction world. His career spans leadership roles in inventory and logistics at Sotheby’s, as well as positions at Dreweatts and Bloomsbury Auctions. His ability to implement best practices and systems across large teams and locations has earned him a reputation as a trusted expert in fine art property management and operational strategy.
Cahalane holds an MA in Arts Policy and Management from Birkbeck College, University of London.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Foundation’s decision to centralise inventory under Cahalane’s leadership underscores its long-term commitment to scholarly accessibility and creative engagement. Plans currently in development include:
-
Digitisation of archival and collection materials across its international sites;
-
Collaborations with academic and cultural institutions to facilitate research and education;
-
Thematic travelling exhibitions that reflect Mr. Koch’s wide-ranging passions, from rare books and music manuscripts to decorative arts and architectural drawings.
Through Cahalane’s expertise and the Foundation’s ambitious roadmap, The FRK Foundation is taking concrete steps to share its cultural treasures with a broader public while preserving them for generations to come.
21 July 2025
The FRK Foundation announces
John Cahalane
as its Inventory Curator
