Grey Towers National Historic Site

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.		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.
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.		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.

USDA Forest Service - Grey Towers National Historic Site
Last Modified: Friday, 04 April 2008 at 12:07:04 EDT