I found the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park on a misty, rainy sort of day on 13 October 2016. I arrived and I had to buy a poncho since I was expecting the rain to abate (It did not, for those who think Mother Nature listens to me). But now I need to tell you a story about getting to this image below.

Leading up to 13 Oct 2016

In 2016, I was working as a National Park Ranger, so I didn’t have much free time to go off and explore. It was a tough year for the fall colors and it was definitely a “slow burn” year. In Vermont and New Hampshire, the temps didn’t get in the 40s for lows till late September and there were only two days with lows in the 30s at the end of Sept. October wasn’t much better with only a few days with lows in the 30s.

Needless to say, 2016 was a mediocre year for the fall colors. On 1 October in the White Mountains, I was finding only gold and orange-tipped leaves (whereas in 2012, I was finding Peak colors by that date). This year (2016) on 7 October, Smugglers Notch, Northfield, Barnard, and Pomfret Vermont were just getting good colors as seen below in Pomfret, on Cloudland Road.

As pretty as this is, it’s not perfect. We were still seeing a few green trees that should have been showing us more fall colors in a better year. Then we arrive in Vermont on 13 October.

Driving Alert: The town of Pomfret will close Cloudland Road from 23 September to 15 October this year to stop the level of traffic in front of the Sleepy Hollow farm. The farm has been causing so many traffic issues, that the town finally decided to stop all motorized traffic. Also on the other end of Cloudland Road which is Barbor Rd, that is also limited traffic so no slipping in that way Also if you try to park within walking distance, that will be stopped as well.

Arriving at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP

You will find the Marsh-Billings Museum just north of Woodstock Vermont. Start in the center of town at the Middle covered bridge. You go through the covered bridge and take a right on River Street. Follow this to Route 12, taking a left. within a minute you will make a right onto Old River Road and there will be several big parking areas on the left.

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Quick History

John Marsh built the first home here in 1805 for his family. It started as a simple 2-level home, but you can see that many of the subsequent owners made dramatic improvements over the years. It was purchased by was purchased in 1869 by Frederick H. Billings, who made significant alterations to the house that can be seen during a turn today. During his tenure at the estate, Billings established what he considered to be a progressive model farm on the property.

Finally, the home was purchased by  Mary French Rockefeller (Billings’ granddaughter) and her husband Laurance Rockefeller. Like so many Philanthropic endeavors of the Rockefellers, they turned the property over to the government in 1992 where it was turned into a National Historical Park.

What to visit while there

I will admit I only did a superficial dive into this property. If you pay ($8-$17) to visit the farm and museum, plan on spending 2 or more hours here. To give you an idea, here is a map of the museum property buildings. I on the other hand decided to go the “free” route.

I went into the Visitors Center and got the lay of the land (also where I bought the plastic poncho). They gave me a map and directed me across the street from the Billings museum into the National Park. (open 365 days dawn to dusk), here is a link.

I headed across the road for the trail to traverse the Marsh-Billings National Park. I wanted to head to Pogue Pond and since it is rated as easy, I figured it wouldn’t take too long. It’s only about 2.5 miles each way and I would say it’s doable for most people. Check this link to a map of the walking trail that takes you to Pogue Pond. I made use of the poncho that I had purchased through much of this journey and the rain definitely made the colors more saturated.

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As you set out on your hike, you will pass a building that allows you to take a quick self-guided tour through the landscape. It has panels that explain the different effects the Marsh-Billings landholders had on this property over the years. I continued on the smooth path passing different views out onto the farmland and soon found myself at pogue pond.

Pogue Pond

Pogue Pond covers about 14 acres and there is a pond trail that will take you around the pond. As I have said numerous times it was a rainy day but when I got here I thought the sun might break through but it at least cut back to just misting rain.

The sky was nothing to write home about but there are many views with reflections that you can enjoy… even in the rain…

Well, a couple of miles back down to the Marsh-Billings estate and the sun was making a concerted effort to break through the clouds and you are back to the lead image. Simply standing in the parking lot seeing the clouds swirling overhead and a rainbow trying to make a quick appearance.

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As you can see in the top image you can possibly see cows and horses in the different paddocks for free but to get a good tour of the place then you will want to give yourself more time to really explore it.

Happy Foliage Trails my friends

Jeff Foliage Folger

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