COVID-19 UPDATE: All special events at Grey Towers, through the end of October, are cancelled. However, in order to continue our service to the public, we continue to offer expanded outdoor programs and access to the gardens and grounds daily. No fees are charged at this time. On-site parking and restrooms remain open. Mansion tours not yet offered. Interagency passes will be sold Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9-11 am only. Click here for specific details of what's available and hours. Check with us when planning a visit as current circumstances could result in rapid and unplanned changes.
Please continue to enjoy and respect the grounds. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we all work together to minimize the impacts and spread of COVID-19.
Continuing our service to you during this time is very important. Please call 570-296-9630 for any inquiries and assistance and someone will return your call.
Grey Towers was the home of Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the US Forest Service and Pennsylvania Governor for two terms. Located in Milford, Pennsylvania, Grey Towers was completed in 1886 by Gifford's father, James Pinchot, a successful businessman and philanthropist. The Pinchot family enjoyed numerous summers at Grey Towers, entertaining guests with afternoon teas and dinner parties. Here James, disturbed by destructive logging practices then prevalent in the country, encouraged his eldest son, Gifford Pinchot, to consider a career in forestry.
Gifford married Cornelia Bryce Pinchot in 1914 and the couple moved to Grey Towers. Cornelia made sweeping changes in the design and use of the home, making it “more fitting as a Governor’s home.” The power couple continued to use the home for entertainment and their guests helped move forward their conservation, political and social justice platforms. Gifford was elected Governor twice, supported primarily by working class, agriculture and new women voters.
In 1963, Gifford and Cornelia’s son Dr. Gifford Bryce Pinchot donated Grey Towers and 102 acres to the US Forest Service to carry forward the principles set forth by his father. Today the US Forest Service, with numerous partners, administers the site as an education, conference and leadership center. Public programs and tours, education programs, conferences, seminars, and leadership development programs at the estate bring together a diversity of leading conservation and environmental thinkers to help guide the future of natural resource conservation.
