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27-590: Educational programs are available at the Blackbird State Forest Education Center on the Meadows Tract. Complementing a center at Redden State Forest , the facility has two meeting spaces and interactive displays: The Life Cycle of a Forest, Tree Identification, Invasive Species, Urban/Community Forestry, and Wildland Firefighting. Visitors can see a diorama of a beaver pond, a working beehive, and exotic and native insects. Work has also begun on

54-433: A center at Redden State Forest, the facility has two meeting spaces and interactive displays: The Life Cycle of a Forest, Tree Identification, Invasive Species, Urban/Community Forestry, and Wildland Firefighting. Visitors can see a diorama of a beaver pond, a working beehive, and exotic and native insects. Work has also begun on a new nature trail, demonstration saw mill, and arboretum. As a state forest, Blackbird began with

81-410: A large lobby with exposed roof structure and two large brick fireplaces. This space is flanked by a dining room and a smaller gun room. The dining room contains wood paneling reputedly taken from an 18th-century Long Island house. The lodge retains its original Mission style furnishings, although the south wings was reconstructed following fire damage from a 1970 lightning strike. Cedar shingles replaced

108-717: A new nature trail, demonstration saw mill, and arboretum. As a state forest, Blackbird began with the 1941 acquisition of the Tybout Tract, purchased for $ 6,916.20 when land prices in New Castle County presented a rare opportunity for the Forestry Department. The Forestry Department's 1941 Annual Report stated: For many years there has been a marked public concern over the failure of the Department to acquire State Forest lands in New Castle County but with only income funds at

135-589: A residence on the property). The Cooper and Cooper Study (found in the holdings of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs) describes the Smith School as a one-teacher schoolhouse with an average student population of 23. The school operated 180 days of the year. Saulsbury Farm Gravesite: The Saulsbury Tract is home of the Saulsbury family burial grave, which contains a memorial to Gove Saulsbury ,

162-478: Is also home to one of Delaware's two forest education centers. The Redden Forest Education Center includes exhibits on the history of forestry in Delaware, forest pests, urban forestry, and the importance of forests within watersheds. Much of Redden State Forest’s history is tied to the railroad. The Junction & Breakwater Railroad , one of Delaware’s earliest rail systems, was completed in 1868. A railroad station

189-656: Is located in Redden State Forest , Sussex County, Delaware . Now known as the Redden Forest Education Center , the complex includes three Shingle style buildings built in 1900-1902 as a hunting retreat for Pennsylvania Railroad heir Frank Graham Thompson. The complex was served by a specially built railroad siding in Redden Crossroads. The camp fell into disuse during the Great Depression and

216-540: Is no formal office onsite. It is primarily used for hunting, hiking, and wildlife habitat. In addition, the forest is also managed for timber production. Although officially dedicated in 1994, the origin of Taber State Forest was 1984, when the Delaware Forest Service received the 350-acre (1.4 km ) Saulsbury Farm. Also included at Taber State Forest is the building known as the Smith School House (now

243-587: Is the consolidation of several Sussex County forest tracts, including the Ellendale State Forest. The Ellendale State Forest Picnic Facility was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. The first land was acquired in 1928, and since then the forest has continued to grow, with acquisitions as late as 2008. Popular activities at the forest include in-season hunting, horseback-riding, nature observation, and hiking. Redden State Forest

270-525: The Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service . see also Delaware State Forests Located north of Smyrna , Blackbird State Forest covers approximately 5,400 acres (22 km ) on the border of New Castle / Kent counties. The ten tracts of Blackbird State Forest are open to the public for nature walks, hiking, jogging, and horseback riding all year. It features a 1/2-mile, wheelchair-accessible wildlife and nature interpretation trail on

297-677: The Tybout Tract and the Blackbird Education Center on the Meadows Tract . Long-range management plans for Blackbird State Forest outline goals for timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, soil and water protection, wetland and endangered species protection, and public education. Many educational programs are available at the Blackbird State Forest Education Center on the Meadows Tract. Complementing

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324-464: The 1941 acquisition of the Tybout Tract, purchased for $ 6,916.20 when land prices in New Castle County presented a rare opportunity for the Forestry Department. 1941’s Annual Report of the Forestry Department stated: Redden State Forest contains 18 separate tracts covering over 12,000 acres (49 km ) in Sussex County just north of Georgetown , the county seat. The modern Redden State Forest

351-431: The 41st governor of Delaware (1865–1871). This historic gravesite is approximately 50 ft (15 m). by 75 ft (23 m). with 16 graves. The site has one large group monument and three small grave stones with a two-rail split rail fence around the site. Deed restrictions state this parcel must remain as a burial site and be maintained as such. Redden Forest Education Center The Redden Forest Complex

378-796: The Horse Barn, which is now the Redden Education Center. In 1936 under the leadership of Delaware’s first State Forester, William S. Taber, the State Forestry Department purchased the 844 acres (3.42 km ) that is now the Headquarters Tract from Richard Houghton, who had acquired the property following its use by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Since that time, the Headquarters Tract has grown to over 1,800 acres (7.3 km ). On July 4, 1970, lightning struck

405-530: The House in 1843, and was instrumental in establishing a railroad system in Delaware. In 1877 a 230-acre (0.93 km ) farm near the Redden Station and owned by William W. Donovan proceeded through Orphan’s Court following his death. This land is now a portion of Redden State Forest’s Headquarters Tract. Transcripts of the court proceedings mention a large, two-story dwelling with an attached single story, which fits

432-701: The Lodge, and the resulting fire burned the entire west wing and kitchen. The burned section was rebuilt in 1976. In 1990 the Lodge, Manager’s House, and Horse Barn were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Delaware Forest Service acquired funding from the Delaware General Assembly and, working with the Delaware Department of Administrative Services, Division of Facilities Management, renovated these historic structures. The Redden Lodge

459-450: The Maryland state line generally form the western boundary. About 17 acres (69,000 m ) actually extends westward into the state of Maryland. Burrsville Road running southeast from Parker Road cuts through near the center of the land holdings. Saulsbury Creek Road generally forms a boundary for the southwest extent of the property. Taber State Forest is a primitive use facility and there

486-415: The club house (Redden Lodge) appeared on Sussex County tax records. From 1903 to 1919 the Lodge was used by Pennsylvania Railroad Company officials and guests for hunting (primarily quail, since much of the surrounding area at that time was fields and hedgerows). Visitors arrived at the Redden Station by train from Philadelphia and proceeded to the Lodge by horse and buggy. The carriages and horses were kept in

513-423: The cypress in the reconstruction. The stable is T-shaped. The front of the stable is a projecting porch under a deeply hooded hipped roof, with a large arched doorway leading into a carriage house. On either side wings extend under the extended roof with additional storage on the north side and a tack room on the south side. Stabling was to the rear, with the original eight stalls now removed. The attic space over

540-562: The description of Redden State Forest’s Manager’s House (currently the Redden office). Charles C. Stockley, the Governor of Delaware from 1872 to 1876, purchased the Donovan Farm in 1879. In 1901 Frank Thompson purchased 844 acres (3.42 km ) of land including the original 230-acre (0.93 km ) Donovan Farm. Mr. Thompson was the son of the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. In 1903

567-780: The disposal of the Department for acquisition purposes it has been expedient to spend those funds where the greatest acreage could be acquired per dollar expended. However, with the offer of a block of land in lower New Castle County at a figure comparable to similar lands in Sussex County the handicap of price was removed and the department has succeeded in acquiring 672 acres ... lying west of Blackbird in New Castle County. 39°20′31″N 75°40′58″W  /  39.34194°N 75.68278°W  / 39.34194; -75.68278 Redden State Forest Delaware has three state forests, one in each county, totaling more than 19,000 acres (77 km ). These natural resource areas are managed by

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594-403: The east, about 800 feet (240 m) from the rail line. The lodge is a shallow V-shape in plan, of 1-1/2 stories on a brick foundation with no basement, with cypress shingle siding. The roof, originally covered with wood shingles, is now covered in asphalt shingles, with broad overhanging eaves. The central portion is seven bays wide, flanked by wings of seven bays each. The center portion contains

621-413: The entry is finished. An octagonal cupola tops the center of the roof. A matching kennel formerly stood to the rear of the stable, but was demolished after 1937. The forester's house differs from the stable and the lodge, with Colonial Revival detailing added to the shingle style. The house has a gambrel roof with three dormers on each side and a full basement. A porch extends across the central portion of

648-423: The rear of the house, accessed by two French doors The interior comprises a living room, dining room, hallway and kitchen on the first floor, with six bedrooms on the second floor. A nearby garage matches the house. The Redden Forest Education Center houses displays and classroom space for school activities and tours. It is managed by the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forestry division. The Redden complex

675-488: Was acquired by the state of Delaware in the 1930s. It saw use by the Civilian Conservation Corps , then the complex and the surrounding property were designated Redden State Forest in 1937. The present complex comprises three buildings, all of wood frame construction using cypress timber frames. The stable and forester's house are at the entrance to the property. The lodge is about 1,400 feet (430 m) to

702-456: Was established in 1870 near what would later become Redden State Forest. The station was originally known as Carey’s Station, but a short time later was renamed for Col. William O. Redden. Col. Redden played a prevalent role in Sussex County as he served in the Civil War, was sheriff of Sussex County from 1838–1840, a member of Delaware’s House of Representatives from 1840–1846, including Speaker of

729-576: Was rededicated in 1996, the Manager’s House opened as the Redden office in 1998, and the Horse Barn opened in 2000 as the Education Center. These three structures are now the centerpiece of Redden State Forest. Taber State Forest covers over 1,200 acres (4.9 km ) in Kent County and is located 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Harrington . Parker Road south off of Delaware Route 14 , and

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