Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Showcases Vermont’s Rich Farming Heritage and Rural Culture

The small town of Woodstock, Vermont, is an idyllic New England destination that attracts visitors throughout all four seasons. Just beyond the shops and galleries that line the charming downtown and a short walk from the Woodstock Inn and Resort, lies the Marsh-Billing-Rockefeller National Historical Park, a 40-acre property that has been preserved to share and interpret the stories and visions of the 19th century farm families. Once a significantly larger property that included a prominent dairy farm (Billings Farm & Museum), the historic site includes the 1805 boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh and its restored gardens, as well as over 20 miles of trails that meander through the forests that were carefully managed by Frederick Billings. In 1922, Laurance and Mary French Rockefeller donated the property to the National Park Service, allowing this special place to be enjoyed by the public.

Photo Credit: NPS/Don Shall

Things to Do

• From late May until late October, guided tours of the Victorian-style mansion and restored gardens are offered by the National Park Service. Once inside, see the impressive collection of landscape paintings completed by prominent artists from the Hudson River School. Tours and programs have been temporarily suspended but will hopefully resume in the fall.
• The National Park Service offers a wide range of programs on an almost daily basis. The tours leave from the visitor center and offer a more in-depth look at items in the home, the legacy of the families that cared for the property, forest preservation, and even a behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion.
• The extensive network of trails can be accessed year-round. With over 500 acres of conservation land beyond the park’s boundaries, you can wander through forested areas that lead to open fields with scenic overlooks and beautiful rural landscapes.
• During the winter months, twelve miles of the park’s trails are incorporated into the Woodstock Resort’s Nordic trail network. To use the pristine and well-maintained trails for skiing and snowshoeing, purchase a day-use or season pass.

Travel Tip: The nearby Billings Farm and Museum is not part of the historical park; however, it was originally built by Frederick Billings in the late 1800’s. Today, the fully operational Jersey dairy farm is considered one of the best farm museums in the country, with amazing artifacts and educational programming— it’s well worth the visit.

Wildlife Observation

The forests across Vermont are teeming with wildlife, which is also true of the conservation land around the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park. During a few hours on the trails, expect to discover a wide range of birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles as you walk through the many habitats in the park. The variety of birds that reside in or visit the area is arguably the most impressive. Keep a sharp eye out for songbirds, woodpeckers, ducks, grouse, turkeys, and owls. The most often seen mammals in the park are chipmunks, squirrels, woodchucks, and white tail deer, but don’t be surprised to catch a glimpse of a few predators, including black bear, bobcat, and coyote.