‘Festival of Wood’ returns to Grey Towers

In celebration of National Public Lands Day, Grey Towers National Historic Site will hold The Festival of Wood on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This family-friendly festival is going back to the roots of conservation by highlighting goods from the woods. In lieu of a mansion fee on Saturday, visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the local food pantry.

Activities to enjoy on the grounds include:

- Free shuttle and parking

- Children’s activities in the Pool Terrace

- Smokey and Woodsy appearances at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

- Free three-floor museum and mansion open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Wood vendors with demos (ongoing throughout the day)

- Educational exhibits

- Free visitor films

The day’s educational exhibitors include the International Wood Collector Society, American Chestnut Society, Penn State Master Gardeners, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC),Delaware Highlands Conservancy, A Touch of Health (bees/honey), Forest Service entomologists from the Morgantown field office (invasive insects), The Gifford Pinchot chapter of the Audubon Society, The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation River, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the Friends of the Delaware Water Gap.

Grey Towers’ 2024 museum tour season also features temporary exhibits such as Gifford Bryce “A playful Past for Gifford Byrce Pinchot” and the Cornelia exhibit “Elegance, Power and Change,” which will be available as part of the first-floor open house. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds and extend your stay. Coupons have been provided by restaurant owners to be used September 28, 2024, at local food establishments. Coupons can be found by visiting the Grey Towers Heritage Associations hospitality tent.

Entry to the grounds is free and the festival is rain or shine. For more information, visit fs.usda.gov/greytowers. A map and list of event times can be found at greytowers.org.