2016 Grey Towers Public Program Schedule
Join the US Forest Service at Grey Towers National Historic Site and its partners as we share the legacy of Gifford Pinchot and his family, with a variety of public programs that are geared toward education and awareness of their contributions to conservation, community, social justice and improvement of mankind.
APRIL
MONDAY APRIL 18, 11:30 am.
Grey Towers Heritage Association Lunch and Learn program, “Cornelia Pinchot: Activist and Governor’s Wife.” A brief introduction to the many contributions Cornelia Pinchot made to society and how she helped advance Gov. Gifford Pinchot’s political career. Lunch included in fee; registration required info@greytowers.org or call 570-296-9625.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23: GREY TOWERS HERITAGE 8K RUN/WALK :
An Earth Day 8KRun/Walk will start at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, PA and follow the Pinchot Greenway through Milford Borough to Milford Beach and back to Grey Towers. Proceeds go toward preservation of Gifford Pinchot’s favorite trees, the European Copper Beeches. Information or to register visit www.greytowers.org, call 570.296.9625 or email info@greytowers.org.
MAY
SATURDAY, May 7, 10 am: PROGRAM: Gifford Pinchot and Fly Fishing Program.
A lecture, films and fly fishing demo will illustrate Gifford Pinchot’s enthusiasm for the sport and how it helped shape his ideas on conservation. Contact Grey Towers Heritage Association at info@greytowers.org or 570-296-9625 for more details and to register (required). Free and group size is limited.
SATURDAY, May 4 11 am: WALK: THE PINCHOTS and MILFORD
What was the Milford Community House before it became the former library? Who built Forest Hall and what was it used for? Where did the family worship? Learn the answers to these and more about how one family helped shape the community of Milford on this walking tour. Meet at Broad and Harford. FREE but registration is required, 570-296-9625 or info@greytowers.org
SATURDAY, MAY 28 (MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND): REGULAR TOUR SEASON RESUMES, EVERY DAY, 11 AM – 4 PM ON THE HOUR
Guided tours of the mansion and grounds share the story of the Pinchot family and the role Grey Towers played as they advanced their social, political, and conservation ideals. SPECIAL: Three floor tours of the mansion offered on weekends only at 4 PM.
JUNE
SATURDAY, June 4, 5:30 pm: LECTURE: “The Means of Seeing: Conservationism and The Nature Essays of John Burroughs”
The Pinchots included Burroughs’ writings in their collection of books that influenced their thinking about nature and conservation. Matthew Nickel, Ph.D., published author and assistant professor of English at Misericordia University, is the guest speaker for this first in a series of lectures illustrating conservation and the arts. A reception with light refreshments will follow. Free. Co-hosted by the Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society and Grey Towers Heritage Association.
SATURDAY, June 4, 10 am: WALK: EVOLUTION OF THE GREY TOWERS LANDSCAPE: SPRINGTIME IN CORNELIA’S GARDENS
Come see the gardens and their late spring blooms and hear about Cornelia Pinchot’s landscape design vision. Meet Horticulturist Elizabeth Hawke at the Visitor Pavilion for a guided tour of native flowering shrubs, blooming perennials and mountain laurel. Reservations suggested, call 570-296-9630. Regular tour fees apply.
SATURDAY, June 11, 1-4 pm: DEMONSTRATION: ART OF LACEMAKING
Watch as the Lost Art Lacers of North New Jersey practice the art of lacemaking. Learn about the Pinchot lace collection at the Smithsonian. FREE and open to the public.
JULY
SATURDAY, July 9, 5:30 pm: OUTDOOR CONCERT
Music can heighten one’s sensitivity toward nature, and the US Forest Service and Kindred Spirits Arts Program offers this musical performance in our tented pool pavilion terrace. Tickets: KSAP, 570-296-7429 or online at www.kindredspiritsarts.org
THURSDAY, July 14, 10 am-4 pm: COME PAINT WITH ME
This free plein air painting program is open to the public and is non-instructional. You can either join the artists or observe them at work in the fields and forests of Grey Towers for these outdoor painting and sketching sessions. Bring your own materials and a picnic lunch. No reservations needed. Rain or shine. FREE. www.joanpolishook-art.com or 570-775-6896 for information on where to meet, etc.
SATURDAY, July 16, 5:30 PM: LECTURE: Jervis McEntee: Painter-Poet of the Hudson River School.
Guest speaker Kerry Dean Carso, associate professor of art history at SUNY New Paltz, will help re-define McEntee’s place in the history of 19th century American landscape painting and will show how James Pinchot helped support him as a patron of the arts. This second in a series of lectures illustrating conservation and the arts will be followed by a reception with light refreshments. FREE. Co-hosted by GTHA and US Forest Service.
AUGUST
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, August 6-7: 12th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF WOOD
Handmade crafts, music, arts, programs, children’s activities, educational exhibits, and more! Visit www.fs.usda.gov/greytowers for full schedule of events. Free parking, free shuttle. Self-guided tours of all 3 floors of the mansion ($5 pp). Rain or shine.
THURSDAY, August 11, 11 am – 4 pm: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIFFORD PINCHOT!
Help celebrate Gifford Pinchot’s 151st birthday with a FEE FREE DAY! All three floors of the mansion open.
THURSDAY, August 18, 10 am-4 pm: COME PAINT WITH ME
This free plein air painting program is open to the public and is non-instructional. You can either join the artists or observe them at work in the fields and forests of Grey Towers for these outdoor painting and sketching sessions. Bring your own materials and a picnic lunch. Meet near the mansion (Visitor Pavilion in inclement weather). No reservations needed. Rain or shine. Free. 570-775-6896 or www.joanpolishook-art.com
SATURDAY, August 20, 10 am: TREE WALK: “BY GEORGE I’D LIKE TO COME BACK A HUNDRED YEARS FROM NOW AND SEE MY TREES…. “
Gifford Pinchot wanted to be able to come back to see the trees he planted; today you can join us for this 1-hour introductory walk to his trees. Participants will be given “Trees of Grey Towers” pamphlet. Regular tour fees apply and spots are limited; call 570-296-9630 to pre-register.
SATURDAY, August 20, 5:30 pm: OUTDOOR CONCERT
Music can heighten one’s sensitivity toward nature, and the US Forest Service and Kindred Spirits Arts Program offers this musical performance in our tented pool pavilion terrace. Tickets: KSAP, 570-296-7429 or online at www.kindredspiritsarts.org
SEPTEMBER
SUNDAY, Sept 10, 11 am: A MOVEABLE FEAST: PINCHOT FAMILY AND MILFORD HISTORIC WALKING TOUR:
Munch your way through Milford on this walking tour that takes you to some significant locations where the Pinchot family had an influence. Fee includes guided tour, printed guide book and food at various locations. Call 570–296–9625 or info@greytowers.org to register.
SATURDAY, Sept. 17, 5:30 pm: LECTURE: “The Clearest Way into the Universe:” Nature’s Meaning in the Photographs of Ansel Adams.
Gifford Pinchot was one of the first Americans to recognize that photography could influence the nation’s conservation thinking. Ansel Adams also was a visionary figure in nature photography and wilderness preservation, and Dr. Brian Carso will present this third in a series of lectures in which he reflects on how Adams’ famous photographs continue to inspire an appreciation for natural beauty and a strong conservation ethic. Reception with light refreshments to follow. FREE. Co-hosted by the Gifford Pinchot Audubon Society and GTHA.
SATURDAY, Sept. 24, 11 am-4 pm: NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY, COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL (2 pm)
A FEE-FREE day of self-guided mansion tours, music, children’s programs, Smokey Bear and more! Enjoy free ice cream during a re-creation of Gov. Gifford Pinchot’s ice cream social. The best way the US Forest Service and the Grey Towers Heritage Association knows how to thank the community for their support all year-round.
OCTOBER
SATURDAY, Oct. 15, 10 am: WALK: EVOLUTION OF THE GREY TOWERS LANDSCAPE: AUTUMN IN CORNELIA’S GARDENS
Brilliant red, yellow, and orange leaves will be ablaze for this landscape tour. Meet Horticulturist Elizabeth Hawke at the Visitor Pavilion to view the fabulous foliage displays of the native shrubs, Japanese maples, historic sugar maple planted by General William T. Sherman, and the historic landscape. Regular tour fees apply; reservations suggested.
SATURDAY Oct. 22: PROGRAM at LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
Unique public program introduces you to one of Milford’s first graveyards, located on the grounds of Grey Towers, and how those buried there helped shape the community. Meet at the Visitor Pavilion in the parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes. Tickets at www.greytowers.org or call 570-296-9625.
SATURDAY, Oct 29, 6 pm AND 8 pm: DRAMATIC READING
Halloween Dramatic Reading, “A Night With Poe.” Appropriate for age 13 and up. Tickets required. Contact info@greytowers.org or call 570–296–9625.
NOVEMBER
FRIDAY Nov. 11, 11 am – 2pm:
Gov. and Mrs. Gifford Pinchot would welcome veterans into their home at Grey Towers to thank them for their service, and the US Forest Service continues this tradition today. Veterans and active military are invited to tour the mansion for free; hourly.