Francis & Ann M. Koenig

Born in Chicago in 1910, Francis was the first of seven children. While his early years were spent in Chicago, he grew up on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. His interest in drafting began by designing and building chicken houses, leading him to build his first board and T-square. At the age of sixteen, he worked as a carpenter’s helper, which inspired him to pursue a career in architecture.

Due to the increasing demands of the farm, Francis completed only the seventh grade. He continued studying architecture through correspondence courses and, by the age of eighteen, was designing plans for houses, churches, store remodelings, and even “hunting boxes.” His ability to see his designs through to completion made him stand out, as he was intimately involved in the execution of his ideas. As he often stated, "I was blessed a thousand-fold through participation."

In 1935, Francis moved to Washington, DC, where he worked as a designer for Kennedy-Chamberlain and later as a drafter for Harvey Warwick, chief architect for Gustave Ring. By 1940, he had become vice president of Ring Engineering Company, designing and overseeing projects like Colonial Village (2nd phase) in Arlington, Virginia, and the Dorcester House in Washington, DC. After serving as a captain in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, Francis began designing and developing on his own, working on subdivisions, office buildings, churches, and his own home in Arlington, Virginia.

In 1955, Francis discovered a plot of land overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. The area, known as Long Beach, became the Koenig’s escape from city life. In 1956, he built the “beach house” at 234 Overlook Drive, where he and Ann enjoyed breathtaking views of the Bay. Despite extensive travel across Europe and the Caribbean, they both agreed that the view from their kitchen table was the best in the world.

In 1965, Francis and Ann purchased their first sailboat, which they named "Annmarie." They enjoyed sailing the Bay with their dachshund, Hansel, and often took overnight trips to Solomon’s Island and the Choptank and Little Choptank Rivers.

In 1960, as an investment, Francis purchased 30 acres of land in Solomons Island, overlooking St. John’s Creek. Over time, Francis saw the potential to create something lasting and unique—a sculpture garden instead of a condominium complex or hotel. In gratitude for the years spent on the Bay and in Calvert County, he donated the land to become Annmarie Sculpture Garden, ensuring that it would remain a permanent gift to the community.

As Fran often said, "Everything I have built in my life will someday be taken down. Annmarie Garden will always remain."