Historical Information
Grey Towers, located in Milford, Pennsylvania, was originally the summer
estate of the James Pinchot family and later the primary home of Gifford
Pinchot, America's first forester and founder of the USDA Forest Service.
Though generally considered the father of the Conservation Movement in
the United states, Gifford Pinchot has largely been forgotten by the general
public. A dynamic personality with strong opinions, he relished controversy
and worked closely with his good friend, President Theodore Roosevelt,
to curb monopolistic practices then prevalent across the nation.
Politically progressive and liberal, he was later elected Governor of
Pennsylvania on two separate occasions and, together with his wife, Cornelia,
worked diligently for progressive causes and the common good.
Gifford
Pinchot (1865-1946)
Gifford Pinchot was America's first forester and founder of the
USDA Forest Service. He served two terms as Governor of Pennsylvania
and is considered the father of the Conservation Movement.
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Cornelia
Bryce Pinchot (1881-1960)
Gifford Pinchot's wife, Cornelia, was the daughter of wealthy journalist
and politician, Lloyd Bryce. Her political interests included women's
suffrage, trade unionism, and child labor reforms. She was an avid
gardener and made significant changes to the Grey Towers estate.
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James (1831-1908)
& Mary Eno (1838-1914) Pinchot
James made his fortune in the wallpaper business in New York. He
and Mary built Grey Towers as their summer estate. James was a supporter
of the arts and member of many prestigious organizations. He encouraged
his son, Gifford, to pursue a career in forestry and endowed the
Yale School of Forestry.
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House
and Gardens
Grey Towers was donated to the USDA Forest Service in 1963 by Gifford
Pinchot's son, Dr. Gifford Bryce Pinchot. Nestled among the Pocono
mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania, the estate overlooks the Delaware
River Valley and the small town of Milford. Designed by Richard Morris
Hunt, the chateauesque summer mansion was completed for the James
Pinchot family in 1886.
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