It’s perhaps not a name that is easily recognizable outside of Pennsylvania, but Gifford Pinchot - a resident of Milford - was America's first professionally trained forester, and became perhaps the nation’s first conservationist as the Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture.
That was in 1898, under President Theodore Roosevelt. He was one of the first to consider logging as exploitation, and fought for preservation instead - a very controversial position in his day. But under his leadership, the Forest Service added millions of acres to the national forests, controlled their use, and regulated their harvest.
It happens that Pinchot’s summer home is still here. It’s called Grey Towers, and it’s a gorgeous French chateau-style mansion which reflects Pinchot’s French heritage as well as that of the current U.S. Forest Service, which administers the home and the historic site on which it rests. It’s a place of arts and conservation programs for all ages, conferences and seminars and much more that preserve and advance Gifford’s causes for forest and nature preservation.
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Things to know:
Region: Pocono
Entrance fees : Mansion Tour Prices Adults: $6 Seniors: $5 Youth (12-17): $3 Under 12 free
Related Onsite Offerings: Kids! Check out a Smokey backpack for a fun way to learn about Smokey Bear and forest fires. The backpack is filled with things to do and you even get things to take home.
Highlights: All education programs are free of charge!
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