Grey Towers

So my mother-in-law came to visit us, ostensibly to hit a local Celtic festival. It was their first year, so it didn't take long to check that out, and we had a free afternoon. We decided it was time to visit our favorite PA town of Milford. Every time we go, we try to get into the Grey Towers historical home. And every time we go, it's closed. Until this time.

Grey Towers was amazing. I learned the following things:

• Gifford Pinchot was at one time a two-term governor of PA
• Gifford Pinchot was also the first head of the US Forest Service
• When the house was built, logging had left no trees in the area
• Gifford's wife Cornelia (who sounded like quite the firecracker) hired an army of gardeners and architects to design the beautiful grounds that now exist
• The goal of the US Forest Service is not strict conservation, but to use the land's resources wisely so that future generations can still benefit from them
• The US Forest Service is the largest provider of 2x4s in the country
• If you're on the first or the last tour of the day, you get to visit all 3 floors of the house instead of just the first floor

What a house it was. Several prominent politicans, among others, stayed at Grey Towers when it was a private home. The Pinchots traveled all over the world, and many of the artifacts they collected are still in the home. And the library--I covet a room like that.

It was a great tour, and a wonderful way to spend the day. We want to visit again at Christmas!