What Is Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park?
This park protects the estate and interprets the lives of three important conservationists: George Marsh, Frederick Billings, and Laurance Rockefeller!
What Makes It Historical?
Here’s the story behind this park’s three names, starting with Marsh! George Marsh was born here in 1801, and being super inquisitive, observed all sorts of terrible effects from farming, mining, and timbering on Vermont’s ecosystem! He went on to be a teacher of Greek and Latin at Dartmouth College, then a lawyer, then a US representative who had a major influence on establishing the Smithsonian, then ambassador to Constantinople! But it was while he was ambassador to Italy that he wrote the book, Man and Naure, which warned how detroying the environment would destroy humanity too! This gave him the title of “Prophet of Conservation” and helped launch the American conservation movement!
In 1869, Frederick Billings bought the Marsh farm! A lawyer and conservationist who had made his fortune in the California Gold Rush, Mr. Billings was heavily influenced by Mr. Marsh’s conservation work and was ready to put his money where Mr. Marsh’s mouth was! While heading the Northern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Billings developed a system for responsible farming, logging, and recreation, while working with Scottish farmer, George Aitken, to refoest this heavily denuded area in Woodstock, VT! Though many of the trees here are European in origin, Mr. Billings was able to turn these stripped mountains back into forest in his own lifetime, all the while advocating for national parks like Yosemite, Glacier, and Mount Rainier!
Lastly, the Rockefeller name entered the scene when Mr. Billings’ granddaughter, Mary, got hitched to Laurance Rockefeller, grandson of J.D. Rockefeller! When they moved into the Marsh-Billings Mansion in 1951, this power couple continued the conservation philosophy and practices of their predecessors. Their belief was that folks should have access to the outdoors, but that it should still be preserved for future generations. We owe the creation of Virgin Islands National Park to the Rockefellers, and this one too, which opened to the public on June 5, 1988!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park!
- Donate to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
54 Elm St
Woodstock, VT 05091
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
Park grounds are open from dawn to dusk daily, but the visitor center is only open between Memorial Day weekend and October 31 from 10:00 AM until 5:00PM!
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