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. George Perkins Marsh
Author of Man and Nature and the father of the modern, American conservation movement. Frederick Billings
Railway president, real estate developer, dairy farm owner, forest rehabilitator. The Billings Women
Three generations of women fostered the conservation ideology across the estate's landscape and beyond. Julia Parmly Billings
After Frederick's death in 1890, Julia oversaw the care of the Billings estate for 24 years. Laurance Rockefeller
Philanthropist, conservationist, businessman. Together with his wife, Mary French Rockefeller, Laurance donated the estate to the NPS. Mary French Rockefeller
Philanthropist and Billings heir, Mary donated her childhood home to the National Park Service in 1992. |
Last updated: August 7, 2024