Pictured: Jimmy Carter studying transition books at his cottage at the Musgrove Retreat and Conference Center.
Taking you back in time.
For decades, the Brenn Foundation has invited scholars, presidents, and world leaders along with activists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to gather in the quiet and secluded splendor of the Musgrove Retreat and Conference Center.
By looking to our history, we can understand why the Brenn Foundation continues this tradition today.
Our History
As part of its mission, The Brenn Foundation manages the storied Musgrove Conference and Retreat Center, located on St. Simons Island, Georgia. Established in 1939, the estate has been passionately built and preserved to honor the rich biodiversity of the land and give recognition to the original inhabitants of the region: the Timucuan people.
Musgrove is named after Mary Musgrove, a liaison known for her peacekeeping efforts, entrepreneurship, and land claims to the Sea Islands in Georgia.
Mary Musgrove was born around 1700 in Coweta, Creek Nation. She was named Coosaponakeesa at birth by her Native American mother. Her mother was related to many prominent leaders in the community, and her brother was the chief of Coweta.
As the daughter of an English trader and a Native American woman, Mary Musgrove was able to understand multiple cultures. Her mixed heritage and language skills allowed her to become a negotiator between English and Native American communities.
She is most commonly known for playing an important role in the development of Colonial Georgia, helping foster peace between the British and the Creeks.
Photo: National Women’s History Museum
Photo: St. Simmons Land Trust
Establishing the estate
In 1939, Nancy Reynolds Bagley and Henry Bagley purchased land with a commitment to preserve the natural integrity and biodiversity of the site. The family built a number of cottages and developed plans for protecting the picturesque, sprawling coastal land.
In honor of the rich Indigenous history of the land, Nancy and Henry named the new estate after Mary Musgrove. Inspired by Mary Musgrove’s legacy, over the generations the family has continued to center female leadership and entrepreneurship.
In the early twentieth century, the word “Plantation” was broadly used to describe large estates in the Southern United States. Thus, while Musgrove never participated in chattel slavery or forced labor from enslaved people, it originally became known as Musgrove “Plantation.” In 1985, in recognition of the connection between the word “plantation” and the abhorrent practice of slavery, the land was renamed simply to “Musgrove.”
That same year, the Brenn Foundation was established as a steward of the land and mission to foster meaningful progress.
Centering democracy
In 1976, President Jimmy Carter held his first pre-inaugural Cabinet meeting at Musgrove.
Underscoring the significance of Musgrove’s unique and collaborative environment, President Carter prioritized his administration’s planning and Cabinet building at Musgrove, diving into group discussions, debates, learning, and collaborating.
In the decades since, Musgrove has continued to be a destination for policy-makers and community leaders seeking to foster collaboration.
21st century
A proud tradition of coming together.
Today, Musgrove continues to host meetings, retreats, and artists-in-residence.
Largely untouched by the outside world, the space is spread over six cottages built in Low Country style and tucked among tall pines, graceful palms, and century-old live oak trees.
The peace, beauty, and informality of Musgrove's surroundings offer a rare opportunity to escape the demands of daily life and focus on the topic at hand.
Historical impact
Conferences held at Musgrove
Advocacy Institute
Analyzing foreign policy issues and exploring options for policy change
Center for Community Change
Discussing implications of US housing crisis
Johns Hopkins University
Discussing Cuban-American relations
Commission on US-Latin American Politics, International Center for Development Policy
Assessing the political climate of El Salvador
National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
Developing strategies to strengthen the electoral process in Panama
National Security Archive
Briefing on Cuba for journalists covering US-Cuba issues
Youth Project
Evaluating the effectiveness of previous voter participation projects and discussing strategies for the future
The Carter Center
Facilitating the process of reopening a dialogue between US and Cuba
Democracy Project
Discussing the role of special interest money in politics and necessary reforms
Center for Responsive Politics
Briefing for journalists on the role of special interest money in politics
Religious Action Center, Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Determining the role of the American Jewish community in the Middle East peace process
Center for Responsive Politics
Briefing for journalists on the role of special interest money in politics
Cuban-American Committee Research and Education Fund
Discussing issues of US-Cuba relations by Cubans and second-generation Cuban-Americans
Partnership for Democracy
Redefining national priorities in the ‘90s and launching a campaign to cut the defense budget
Center for a New Democracy, Tides Foundation
Strengthening and reforming the US electoral system
The Other Economic Summit
Understanding the implications of Bush’s Enterprise for the Americas Initiative on environment and free trade
Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies
Analyzing the UN’s role in the post-Cold War period on peace-keeping
Drug Policy Foundation
Educating journalists on drug policy issues relating to legalization and foreign policy
Women’s Legal Defense Fund
Formulating an agenda on women’s issues for Congress and the new Administration
World Policy Institute, New School for Social Research
Examining American foreign policy in the post-Cold War era
The Interfaith Alliance
Discussing how mainstream and progressive people of faith should respond to the growing influence of the religious right
Economic Policy Institute
Organizing progressive organizing strategies around domestic economic policy
Center for a New Democracy
Meeting to discuss public policy options for campaign finance reform at the state level
Center for community Change
Staff retreat on a strategic five-year plan
Center for Public Integrity
A seminar for members of the press on the financing of presidential campaigns
Institute for Public Policy Advocacy
Facilitating an advocacy workshop to strengthen the long-term capacity of the organization working on US-Cuba policy
The 2030 Center
Defining a progressive economic policy agenda for young people
Mercy Corps International
Convening a conference to formulate a coalition of nongovernmental organizations interested in establishing a humanitarian aid network in North Korea
Brown University, Watson Institute of International Studies
Reviewing the failed Cuban exile invasion at the Bay of Pigs in April 1961
Center for Community Change
Discussing the Center’s work in the context of federal budget cuts
National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice
Developing the grassroots component of a national campaign to improve working conditions in the poultry industry
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
Discussing Hispanic issues and empowerment strategies
Mercy Corps International
Sustaining a humanitarian aid network to North Korea
National Security Archive Fund
Working on current historical and political controversies surrounding the end of the Cold War and the collapse of communism
American University, Washington College of Law
Convening members of the Washington College of Law's DC Voting Rights Project
The Albert Einstein Institution
To help focus attention on a set of key problem areas confronted by movements of nonviolent struggle, and to share new insights among nonviolent activists and scholars
Earth Day Network
Planning a timeline and key activities for Earth Day 2000
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
Bringing together key leaders of the anti-death penalty movement to strategize on next steps to expand public education and debate
Common Cause Education Fund
Strategizing and identifying common goals and effective advocacy tools to strengthen the campaign reform effort
Harvard Law School
Discussing the prospects for more effective multiracial coalitions
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
Bringing together journalists on the issue of economic development and current reform issues
World Order Models Project
Deepening efforts in Mexico and North America on economic development issues
Global Green
Discussing biological weapons
National Labor Committee
Meeting to reinvigorate the anti-sweatshop movement
Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy/Good Jobs First
Promoting more sophisticated and balanced media coverage on reform issues in the field of economic development
Pastoral Leadership Institute
Meeting of concerned Catholic leaders on the issue of the sexual abuse crisis
Search for Common Ground
Planning and designing a meeting to support the launching of a global Marshall plan
Center for Digital Democracy
A seminar on media concentration titled, “Building a Movement for Democratic Media in the Digital Age.”
Search for Common Ground
Organizing a seminar on launching a new global Marshall plan
Youth Vote Coalition
Discussing strategies for increasing the youth vote in 2004
National Security Archive Fund
Discussing the transparency of international financial institutions
Mercy Corps
Discussing the future of U.S. relations with North Korea
Women’s Edge
Strategizing around upcoming opportunities presented by Beijing +10, the G7 summit, and the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit
Common Cause Education Fund
Developing a cohesive, proactive agenda toward a democratic U.S. media policy
Center for International Policy
Organizing leaders of the U.S.-Cuba travel policy debate
Brown University
Examining the impact of the Kennedy-Johnson presidential transition on U.S. foreign and defense policy surround the Vietnam War and the historic implications for the current situation in Iraq
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation
Developing a multi-state initiative strategy that creates momentum around progressive policies
Washington Office on Latin America
Outlining a forward-looking U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America
Pax Christi USA-Catholic Alliance for the Common Good
Refining principles for a reinvigorated Catholic social justice movement
Common Cause Education Fund
Strategizing next steps to elevate the issue of public funding of Congressional candidates
Center for Progressive Leadership
Supporting the New Organizing Institute Education Fund and independent voices in the blogosphere
Taxpayers for Common Sense
Discussing challenges posed by current dominant practices and trends in government contracting
Corporate Accountability International
Launching a coordinated global effort to challenge corporate control of water
Brown University - Watson Institute
Exploring US-Iran relations during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and its modern impact
Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
Coordinating the Catholic social justice movement's media and field strategy
Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Maximizing job opportunities in the US and rebuilding the economy on a foundation of renewable energy and conservation
Air Traffic Control Education Fund
Examining how the music community can have a sustained foot inside of the mechanics of getting effective policy work done
Foundation for National Progress - the Media Consortium
Conceiving how progressive media can help set the tone for a strong economic agenda.
National People's Action
Discussing the next phase of the movement to advance financial reform.
National Security Archive Fund
“Talking with Castro: Precedent and Potential for Diplomatic Dialogue between the United States and Cuba.”
National Security Archive Fund
"Kobar Towers: How the June 1996 Attack on U.S. Military Personnel Nearly Led to a U.S.-Iran War, and Huanted Efforts to Improve U.S.-Iran Relations."
Testimonials
“Foundations need to be experimental. They need to take risks… and face some of the more critical and controversial issues. We must be prepared to venture into areas of uncertainty if we are to remain a vital instrument in the field of philanthropy”
— Nancy Susan Reynolds