Pennsylvania’s heritage is intertwined with the forests that now make up 60 percent of our land area. As a person drives, he or she has to be impressed with the immense size of our forests. But in William Penn’s day, forest covered 99 percent of the land. Because of indiscriminate logging, Pennsylvania forested land had declined to 17 percent in 1920. More important than the deforestation was the threat to both rural and urban areas from fire. At the start of the last century, fires added to the denuding of the landscape to create an environmental nightmare of flood water run off, pollution, and smoke/respiratory problems experienced by many. Then in 1886 the father of Pennsylvania Forestry, Doctor Joseph T. Rothrock began to educate as to how conservation, fire protection, and reforesting Pennsylvania could restore our state’s beauty while enabling a self-sustaining industry to thrive. He was joined by Governor Gifford Pinchot, who also created the United States Forest Service. Pennsylvania also can lay claim to the first school of forestry located in Mont Alto, now a Penn State campus near where the PA Forest Fire Museum is located. In 1901, the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry initiated conservation practices that restored our forest base, contributed to our economy, and most important, created a legacy of beauty and vision for our children and grandchildren. The PA Forest Fire Museum mission is to preserve and showcase the heritage of forest fire protection and celebrate Pennsylvania’s pioneers in forest stewardship. The facility includes artifacts and interactive exhibits, a library, training center, and museum store where visitors may purchase Smokey the Bear paraphernalia. Please see the Traveler’s Stories for more about the PA Forest Fire Museum.n
Hours: Open April 1 – October 31nFriday ~ Saturday ~ Sunday ~ 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
