Grey Towers, Conservation Scouting Merit Badge Awarded to 30 Scouts Scouts Honored with Conservation Badges at Grey Towers National Historic Site Grey Towers Heritage Association proudly hosted a Scouting Badge Award Ceremony on May 4 at the historic Grey Towers National Historic Site, recognizing 30 Scouts from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland for their achievements in conservation and forestry education. Held at the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and a founding figure in American conservation, the ceremony honored the Scouts’ commitment to environmental stewardship. Through interactive educational programs and hands-on activities, Scouts earned badges that celebrate their understanding of sustainable forestry and conservation practices. “Grey Towers isn’t just a historic site – it’s a living classroom that brings forestry to life for these Scouts,” said Jeff McQuaid, Program Coordinator and Vice President at Grey Towers Heritage Association. “Almost one hundred Scouts have successfully completed the program since we initiated it three years ago. It’s incredibly meaningful to carry on the Pinchot family’s legacy of conservation and forestry through the next generation of conservation leaders.” The event highlights Grey Towers’ ongoing mission to inspire youth engagement in conservation and educate future stewards of the environment, building on the Pinchot legacy that continues to shape natural resource management in the United States. “We met with a U.S. Forester, learned about forest management, identified trees, shrubs, invasive trees, plants and insects, and learned about and climbed the reconstructed Fire Towers at Grey Towers,” explained one Scout. They also learned that Gifford Pinchot, in collaboration with President Theodore Roosevelt, helped create the Boys Scouts of America (scouting was founded in England.) “The public is welcome to tour the magnificent grounds of Grey Towers, hike the Forest Discovery Trail, see the Fire Tower, and visit our museum, burial ground and gift shop,” adds Will Voelkel, Board Member of Grey Towers Heritage Association.
Grey Towers to Host Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Grey Towers Heritage Association invites the public to attend an afternoon of “innocent merriment” at a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera selections at Grey Towers in Milford, PA on May 17 at 3 p.m. Librettist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan were a renowned Victorian-era theatrical partnership. They are best known for their comic operas, which are considered to be some of the finest examples of British musical theatre. Their profound influence on the development of modern American musical theatre is undeniable. Theatre scholar and critic John Bush Jones cited Gilbert and Sullivan as “the primary progenitors of the twentieth century American musical”. Their works often satirized Victorian society with elements of fantasy and absurdity. Though written 150 years ago, their amusing social commentaries continue to be resonant today. Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous works include The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, and H.M.S. Pinafore. This will be the first time The Sylvania Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be performing at Grey Towers. The performance will consist of a montage of songs presented by members of The Sylvania Gilbert and Sullivan Society, whose purpose is to bring the love and magic of opera, music, and theatre to the Delaware Valley area. “The Society’s goals are to produce the works of Gilbert and Sullivan for the community, to showcase local talent, to lift spirits, to educate, and to unify us through art,” states Emer Day, Grey Towers Heritage Association Board Member and Artistic Director of The Sylvania Gilbert and Sullivan Society. “As we continue to expand our events and programs for local residents and tourists, we invite the public to walk the lush grounds of the historic Pinchot mansion and enjoy a fun afternoon of comical opera,” states Will Voelkel, GTHA Board Member. The event takes place at the Pool Pavilion at Grey Towers, rain or shine. Tickets are available at www.greytowers.org/events and offer student, member and non-member pricing. The performance is recommended for those age 8 and above, and light refreshments will be served.
Grey Towers Presents “At Home with the Pinchots” What was life really like for the Pinchot family members who resided at Grey Towers mansion in Milford, PA in the late 19th and early 20th century? Be privy to all the details and among the first to receive an exclusive “calling card” to visit with them in their home on Saturday, May 10th between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Grey Towers Heritage Association cordially invites the public to a private tour of all three floors of the Pinchot mansion, nestled on 102 acres with magnificent gardens, where you will be hosted by actors who portray the famous persons who lived there. James and Mary, the patriarch and matriarch of this Gilded Age family, will greet you in the Great Hall. After highlighting their family’s history and rise to prominence in the New York City social scene, enjoy their memories of summering at Grey Towers. Gifford, their son and the first chief of the USDA Forest Service, will show you around his library, explain why he became such a force for conservation and tell you of his accomplishments and challenges as a two-term Governor of Pennsylvania. Moving on, you will be received by Cornelia, his wife, who was a preeminent advocate for women’s rights, social justice and cultural change in the early 20th century. Upstairs, there is a presidential guest waiting: Theodore Roosevelt, longtime friend and collaborator with Gifford, will tell the story behind the story. And finally, meet Mary McCadden, the nanny who saw it all! Refreshments will be served at this fascinating, not-to-be-missed event. Entrance to this event begins every twenty minutes, and tickets are available at www.greytowers.org/events.
Grey Towers Extends Visitor Service Season This year, the Grey Towers National Historic Site will be extending our tour season by offering tours starting in mid-November through December 2024. Our tour season usually includes a limited two-week holiday tour season, however due popular demand our amazing staff and volunteers will offer an extended holiday season. Guided holiday tours will begin for the winter season November 18,2024 through December 30, 2024. Tours will be held at 11:00am and 1:00pm daily. November 18 – 26, 2024 November 30 – December 5, 02024 December 9 – 23, 2024 December 27 – 30, 2024 Please note that visitor films will run from 10:30am to 3:00pm on these days in the Baitbox and vehicle gates will close at 4:30pm during weekdays and at 3:30pm on the weekends. Our water features will be winterized; however, staff will continue to interpret these areas weather permitting. Grey Towers NHS will not offer tours or facilities on holidays, but the site will remain open to pedestrian foot traffic from sunup to sundown. For additional information and weather closures please visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers or our Facebook at www.facebook.com/GreyTowersNHS.
PA Dept of Agriculture Announces Reading Ranger Program Grey Towers National Historic Site is proudly offering a free Reading Ranger Program for the summer of 2024. This is the second year that the reading program is taking place on the grounds. This program will include read-aloud stories focusing on environmentalism and conservation read by a Forest Service Ranger on Monday mornings. The readings will be followed by a craft activity, hike, or scavenger hunt. Parents are required to remain with children during this program. The Reading Ranger Program will be held at the lower pavilion, located at the lower parking lot of Grey Towers from 10:00am to 11:00am. The schedule is as follows for children ages 4 to 13: June 10, 2024, Smokey’s Story: with Rudy Wendelin Exhibit Tour June 17, 2023, Kids Making a Difference in Their Communities June24, 2024, Noticing the World Around You July 01, 2024, Fire and Fireworks Safety July 8, 2024, Fire Management and Fire Towers: with hike to the fire tower July 15, 2024, Conservation and Community: learning about Gifford Pinchot July 22, 2024, Trees at Grey Towers: tree identification and trail hike July 29, 2024, Invasive Species Management: identification, Discovery Trail log August 05, 2024, 2024 Smokey 80th Birthday: preparation for celebration, birthday card August 12, 2024, Box Turtle at Long Pond: create your own turtle story Grey Towers National Historic Site was donated to the US Forest Service by the Pinchot family in 1963. It is the former home of Gifford Pinchot, founder and first chief of the Forest Service and Cornelia Pinchot, suffragette and advocate for children’s rights and education. Public programs such as the Reading Ranger program enable the US Forest Service to continue the Pinchot legacy and the tradition of inviting the community to enjoy our natural resources at this historic site. The US Forest Service was able to expand the Reading Ranger Program for 2024 with the Every Kid Outdoors grant to help encourage fourth grade students to appreciate and visit public lands. An RSVP is not necessary. For more information please visit www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers , www.facebook.com/GreyTowersNHS or www.twitter.com/GreytowersNHS.
Grey Towers National Historic Site Celebrates Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday June 10, through June 21, 2024, Grey Towers National Historic Site will host several historic Smokey Bear paintings that can be viewed for free. We are excited to be just one of 14 national forests and grasslands in the Nation to host the paintings by Rudolph (Rudy) Wendelin. The national painting tour is part of Smokey Bear’s 2024 birthday celebration. On loan from the USDA National Agricultural Library, these replica paintings were completed from 1977 through 1995 and remain the most famous depictions of Smokey Bear. Painter Rudy Wendelin worked for the Forest Service as an illustrator beginning in 1933 and was the mastermind behind Smokey’s human like appearance in his signature ranger hat and blue jeans. Thanks to Wendelin’s art, Smokey’s message “Only YOU can prevent wildfires” has prevailed through the generations. The paintings will be located in the mansion tower and will be available for free viewing from June 10 to June 21, 2024, from 10:30am until 3:00pm. There will be ticketed public museum tours offered as well on Thursdays through Mondays at 11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm for the month of June. Tours last approximately one hour and are the ground floor museum and the gardens area. Tickets are $10.00 per adult, 12-17 year olds are $5.00 and 11 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour in person at our Visitor Center located at the historic outbuilding the Letterbox. Sunday June 16, 2024, Grey Towers will be offering a open house with a reduce adult rate of $5.00. The first floor museum will be open for ticketed guest to walk through from noon until 3pm. For groups over 12 visitors, please contact the Jared Simister at Jared.simister@usda.gov to arrange a group tour. In the event that the collection delivery is delayed, adjusted details on viewing the Smokey Bear paintings will be posted to our website www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers and our Facebook page www.facebook.com/GreyTowersNHS. The public can do their part to prevent human-caused wildfires and take Smokey’s message #onlyyou personally this year. Smokey Bear turns 80 this August, and the Forest Service is keen on celebrating this milestone to increase fire prevention awareness across the country. More information on Smokey Bear and his message can be viewed at www.smokeybear.com.
Grey Towers Presents “At Home with the Pinchots” Mansion Tour Grey Towers presents an exclusive visit to all three floors of this Gilded Age mansion located in Milford, PA. Your “calling card” provides a guided tour by actors portraying the actual people who lived there! Refreshments served. For tickets www.greytowers.org At Home with the Pinchots Saturday, May 11, 2024 11:00-2:00 Ever wonder what life was really like for the Pinchot family who lived at Grey Towers? Be the first to get an exclusive “calling card” to visit on May 11th between 11:00 and 2:00! All three floors of the mansion will be featured with actors who portray the famous persons who lived there. You are greeted by James and Mary, the patriarchs of this Gilded Age family. After highlighting their family’s history and rise to prominence in New York City social scene, enjoy their memories of summering at Grey Towers. Gifford, their son who became the first chief of the Forest Service, will show you around his library and explain why he became such a force for conservation. His further contributions as a two -term Governor will be highlighted. Moving on, you will be received by Cornelia, his wife, who was a preeminent advocate for women’s rights, social justice and cultural change in the early 20th century. Upstairs, there is a special guest waiting! Theodore Roosevelt, longtime friend and collaborator with Gifford, will tell the story behind the story. And finally, meet Mary McCadden, the nanny who saw it all! A not to be missed opportunity. Refreshments will be served. For tickets, go to www.greytowers.org.
