Nestled among the rolling hills and pastures of eastern-central Vermont, the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is the only national park to tell the story of conservation history and the evolving nature of land stewardship in America.
The Carriage Barn Visitor Center is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Memorial Day weekend (late May) to October 31. Guided tours of the Mansion and grounds are offered during this season. The park's 20 miles of trails and carriage roads are open year-round. They are available for hiking and equestrian use in the spring, summer, and fall. When winter snows arrive, used only for cross-country skiing.
The boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh, one of America's first conservationists, and later the home of Frederick Billings, the property was given to the American people by its most recent owners, Laurance S. and Mary F. Rockefeller. The park was created by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President George Bush on August 26, 1992. Under law, the purposes of the park are as follows:
- To interpret the history and evolution of conservation stewardship in America;
- To recognize and interpret the contributions and birthplace of George Perkins Marsh, pioneering environmentalist, author of Man and Nature, statesman, lawyer, and linguist;
- To recognize and interpret the contributions of Frederick Billings, conservationist, pioneer in reforestation and scientific farm management, lawyer, philanthropist, and railroad builder, who extended the principles of land management introduced by Marsh;
- To preserve the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller mansion and its surrounding lands; and
- To recognize the significant contributions of Julia Billings, Mary Billings French, Mary French Rockefeller, and Laurance Spelman Rockefeller in perpetuating the Marsh-Billings heritage.
Park trails are always open. Visitor Center hours 9 a.m. - 5 p.m May-October.
