Grey Towers National Historic Site

Rehabilitation of the swimming pool terrace at Grey Towers will be completed in 2007 and will greatly enhance public access and use of the site.

Set into the landscape above the Finger Bowl, the swimming pool and terrace were used by the Pinchot family for recreating and entertaining. One of the first landscape features installed by Cornelia and Gifford, the pool was filled with fresh water from the nearby Sawkill Creek.

When deciding what to do with the pool and terrace, the US Forest Services weighed the history, liability and growing demands for public use. The best and most appropriate use of the outdoor space includes and adaptive re-use for outdoor public programs, conservation education/classroom space, interpretive experiences and when not in use, a reflective space with a fabulous and inspiring view of the grounds and neighboring mountains.

Visitors will enjoy improvements made to the extensive stonework, the columned pergola and plantings, and addition of utilities and a removable tent covering. We believe the project will improve the landscape aesthetics and greatly expand our ability to more fully realize the intent of the gift of Grey Towers to the American public.

The project is being completed with the cooperation of the US Forest Service, the PA State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service, Historic Preservation Training Center.