People

"The true importance of Marsh, Billings, and those who follow in their footsteps, goes beyond simple stewardship. Their work transcends maintenance. It involves new thought and new action to enhance and enrich...the past...We cannot rest on the achievements of the past. Rather each generation must not only be stewards, but activists, innovators, and enrichers."
- Laurance Rockefeller

The history of Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is not only the history of a special house and property and the families who lived there. Rather, the park reflects a rich continuum of social history and land stewardship practices that continues to evolve.

As the property was handed down from generation to generation, so were George Perkins Marsh's revolutionary ideas about man's long-lasting effects on the environment.
 
historic black and white photo of an adult man with glasses in a suit
George Perkins Marsh

Author of Man and Nature and the father of the modern, American conservation movement.

historic black and white photo of man around age 60 in suit with bow tie
Frederick Billings

Railway president, real estate developer, dairy farm owner, forest rehabilitator.

historic black and white photo of a mother and three adult daughters
The Billings Women

Three generations of women fostered the conservation ideology across the estate's landscape and beyond.

historic black and white photo of elderly man and woman looking at camera
Mary & Laurance Rockefeller

Together, Mary and Laurance Rockefeller donated the property to the National Park Service in 1992.

A group of people sit in a circle and listen to an Abenaki culture bearer
The Abenaki Community

This land is part of the traditional and unsurrendered homeland of the Abenaki people.

Last updated: April 25, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

54 Elm Street
Woodstock, VT 05091

Phone:

802-457-3368 x0

Contact Us