History
Grey Towers was the home of Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the US Forest service and governor of Pennsylvania for two terms. Grey Towers was completed in 1886 by Gifford's father, James Pinchot, a wealthy wallpaper merchant.t Service and Pennsylvania Governor for two terms. Here James, disturbed by destructive logging practices then prevalent in the country, encouraged his eldest son, Gifford Pinchot, to consider a career in forestry. In 1963, Gifford Bryce Pinchot, son of Gifford and Cornelia, donated Grey Towers and 102 acres to the US Forest Service, the federal agency founded by his father and which now administers the site. The US Forest Service works with numerous partners to carry on the Pinchot legacy by delivering public programs, interpretive tours and conservation education programs. Today, conferences and seminars at the estate bring together a diversity of leading conservation and environmental thinkers to help guide the future of natural resource conservation.
Specialties
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.