Q: Who is the park named after?Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is named for George Perkins Marsh, author of Man and Nature (1864) and one of the nation's first environmental thinkers. It is also named for Frederick Billings, a 19th-century lawyer and railroad entrepreneur who bought the property from the Marsh family and who was deeply influenced by Marsh's conservation thinking. Billings established a progressive dairy farm and professionally managed forest on the property. After Frederick died in 1890, his wife and daughters took on the care of the property for the next 60 years. In the 1950s, his granddaughter, Mary French Rockefeller inheritied the property alongside her husband Laurance Spelman Rockefeller, where they sustained Billings' practices in forestry and farming during the latter half of the twentieth century. Q: What is the difference between Billings Farm & Museum and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park?Billings Farm & Museum and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park are two distinct yet interconnected sites that together form the historic Billings estate.
A visit to either site begins at the shared parking lot, located next to the Billings Farm & Museum visitor center. Here, guests can view the film A Place in the Land, which introduces the history and significance of the estate. Q: When is the park open?The carriage roads and trails are open year round, dawn to dusk. The Carriage Barn Visitor Center is open between Memorial Day weekend (late May) to October 31, seven days a week, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Guided tours of the park are offered during this time. Q: Can I visit in the winter?The Carriage Barn Visitor Center and historic buildings are open Memorial Day weekend (late May) to October 31. The trails and carriage roads are available for three-season hiking and equestrian use, until winter snows arrive and the roads are groomed and used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.There is a multi-use trail available for hikers year round. Q: How do I see the inside of the Mansion?Mansion tours are limited to 12 participants due to the sensitivity of the museum collection and tight quarters. Tours are available from Memorial Day weekend (late May) to October 31. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended, and can be made up to 60 days in advance on Recreation.gov. For a quick look, the first floor of the mansion is open for limited viewings throughout the visitor season. Check the calendar for "Mansion Open House" details. For a virtual tour, use this link, and for online exhibits, visit our Collections page. Q: May I take pets into the park?Leashed pets are welcome outdoors year round. Please clean-up after your dog, removing any waste to an off-site trash bin. There are no trash receptacles for dog waste in the park. There are outdoor trash cans in the Billings Farm & Museum parking lot. Service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are welcome in all visitor areas. Q: I am disabled. How can I see the park?Public parking for people with disabilities is available at the Billings Farm & Museum parking area. When buildings are accessible to visitors during the open season (late May to October 31) accessible parking is available next to the mansion for anyone who cannot walk up the short, steep hill (no visitor pass needed). There is also a shuttle service available for pick up from the bottom of the hill during special events and busy weekends (call ahead to confirm availability). All formal side mansion tours are wheelchair accessible. Please let us know in advance so that we can set up our temporary wheelchair ramp. There is an elevator in the mansion for access to all floors on the formal side. For more information, visit our Guided Tours page. Q: May I ride my bicycle on the carriage roads?Mountain biking is specifically restricted on the carriage roads and trails due to the Deed of Gift, a permanent condition of the donation that transferred most of Mount Tom to the National Park Service. Since the park's opening in 1998, visitors have respected this limitation. Nearby mountain biking opportunities are available atMountain biking opportunities are available nearby at Saskadena Six or Mount Peg. Q: What is the Pogue, and how did it get its name?The Pogue is a 14-acre man-made pond located in the Mount Tom Forest of the park. Originally a spring-fed boggy area, it was created in the 1880s with the construction of an earthen dam. It is rumored to be bottomless! The origin of its name is uncertain; one theory suggests it comes from an old Scottish word given by an early settler in Woodstock. Please note: swimming, fishing, or wading in the Pogue is not allowed. Q: What is the difference between a National Park and National Historical Park?The titles of parks reflect their diversity. Generally, a National Park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources. In contrast, historical areas are preserved or restored to reflect their appearance during the period of their greatest historical significance. National Historical Parks typically cover larger and more complex areas than National Historic Sites. Regardless of title designation, all 433+ units fall under the National Park Service and are managed by region. For more information on National Park designations, visit What's in a Name? Q: Am I allowed to take photos and videos at the park?Visitors can generally take casual, non-commercial photos and videos at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park without a permit. However, a special use permit is required for commercial filming and certain still photography activities. Additionally, the use of drones is prohibited on federal lands, including the park. For more details, visit our Commercial Filming & Photography page. Q: How to I book a conference room or event space?For information on booking conference rooms or event spaces, including room reservations, special use permits, and weddings, please visit our Permits & Reservations page. Park rooms and facilities, such as the Forest Center, are available to reserve for meetings, workshops, and various events. Additionally, weddings and other ceremonies can be held in several designated areas within the park. Q: Can I sell goods or services within the park?Yes, to sell goods or services within Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, you must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) from the National Park Service. This includes activities like parking a food truck, leading a photography workshop, or conducting a guided horseback riding adventure. A $250 administrative fee is required, and the CUA is valid for up to one year. For more information and to apply, please visit our Commercial Use Authorizaitons page. More questions or suggestions for this page? |
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Last updated: January 7, 2025