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A walking history lesson through Milford

| 13 May 2015 | 12:03
    Photos by Anya Tikka Tour goers in front of Hotel Fauchere where the Pinchot famliy was a frequent guest.
    Photos by Anya Tikka Tour goers in front of Hotel Fauchere where the Pinchot famliy was a frequent guest.
    Christian Detrick and Martha Kimball from Hemlock Farms want to support Pinchot's legacy of conservation.
    Christian Detrick and Martha Kimball from Hemlock Farms want to support Pinchot's legacy of conservation.
    Mary and John Hilgart came from Newton, N.J. to learn about area history.
    Mary and John Hilgart came from Newton, N.J. to learn about area history.
    The start of the tour in the present day Community House that used to be a private Pinchot residence.
    The start of the tour in the present day Community House that used to be a private Pinchot residence.
    Carol Sullivan from Lackawaxen thinks is important to remember Pinchot legacy of conservation.
    Carol Sullivan from Lackawaxen thinks is important to remember Pinchot legacy of conservation.
    The massive stone building at the corner of East Harford Street and Broad Street is also a Pinchot legacy, once housing Yale School of Forestry.
    The massive stone building at the corner of East Harford Street and Broad Street is also a Pinchot legacy, once housing Yale School of Forestry.
    What's now The Artisan Exchange was once built as 'Normandy Cottage' and served as a kitchen to the residence next door.
    What's now The Artisan Exchange was once built as 'Normandy Cottage' and served as a kitchen to the residence next door.

MILFORD — The imprint the prominent Pinchot family has left on Milford became more and more evident during a walking tour held this weekend in town.

Many of the outstanding buildings were built by the family, and their history goes back to 19th century.

Although the most famous son is arguably Gifford Pinchot, the two-time Governor of Pennsylvania, and the man who’s credited with starting the American Conservation Movement. He became the first Chief of the US Forest Service, working closely with then President Theodore Roosevelt.

The tour took about an hour, and covered one mile.

Led by Grey Towers Heritage Association’s Fred Guendel, the tour started at what is the now the Community House, and was originally built to be the residence of Gifford’s grandfather Cyrille. The family had emigrated from France and came to Milford via New York City, establishing a French stamp on the city’s landmarks.

Among the notable town center buildings the tour visited is the Forest Hall at the corner of Board Street and West Harford Street with prominent towers. It was originally a much smaller masonry building that was expanded in 1904 to house the brand new Yale School of Forestry, surrounded by what was then woods. Today, it houses shops and apartments.

Visitors the Courier spoke with came mostly from nearby.

Mary and John Hilgart drove up from Newton, N.J., less than an hour away. They said they felt it was important to know about the area history, and the conservation movement.

“It’s an excellent tour. We’re learning a lot about the community, as well the Pinchot family,” Mary said.

They had visited Grey Towers previously.

“We’re interested in local history,” John added.

From Hemlock Farms, Martha Kimball and Christian Detrick said they thought it’s important to get to know more about area’s history.

“It’s part of my heritage too,” Christian said.

Lackawaxen’s Carol Sullivan felt Pinchot is a very important figure in the American Conservation Movement.

“I feel very strongly that we have to continue the heritage of conservation started by Cornelia and Gifford Pinchot,” she commented.

Guendel ended the tour by saying, “I think this story needs to be told.”

He added he thinks the Pinchot family was successful because "they didn’t just think of themselves, but reached out to serve the community, something we all should do.”