George H.W. Bush: “Establishment Act August 26, 1992 Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 2079, the ``Marsh-Billings National Historical…”

“Establishment Act August 26, 1992 Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 2079, the ``Marsh-Billings National Historical Park Establishment Act.'' S. 2079 will establish the Marsh-Billings National Historical Park in Vermont with the purpose of interpreting the history of conservation. This site includes the boyhood home of George Perkins Marsh. In 1864 Marsh published the first book on conservation, called Man and Nature. He warned that not providing for the proper protection of forest cover would lead to the pollution of streams and rivers, the loss of soil, wildlife, and plants, and the ability to farm the land. The Marsh home was later purchased by Frederick Billings, an attorney and railroad magnate who began a scientific farm on this site, and reforested the land. It has been owned for the last 60 years by Laurance and Mary Rockefeller. This National Historical Park will include the mansion and 550 acres of hillside that were replanted by Frederick Billings. The legislation will also provide for cooperation with the historic Frederick Billings Farm and Museum, and allow the National Park Service to interpret for the public the beginnings and the evolution of the conservation movement. Conservation principles, first articulated by Marsh and practiced by Billings, have also been primary themes of my Administration.…”