Explore The Cradle of Forestry

Photo Courtesy of FIND Outdoors

Let’s hear a little about you, Tommy.

I’m Tommy Hodges, and if you’ve heard my name before, you probably know it’s tied to one of the biggest mysteries ever to come out of Biltmore Forest School. You see, back in October of 1903, I vanished without a trace, and no one’s been able to figure out what happened to me since.

I was just a regular student, full of curiosity, generosity, eager to lend a helping hand and always entertaining folks by telling stories. That crisp fall morning started like any other, full of wonder and I decided to take a walk along the familiar trails near the campus. Little did I know that this ordinary stroll would turn into something that would baffle everyone and become a part of school legend.

Now, here I am, a name in a story that’s captivated imaginations and sparked all sorts of theories. No one really knows where I went or why I never came back. But if there’s one thing I can say for sure, it’s that my disappearance has left behind a mystery that no one seems to be able to solve.

How am I speaking with you now, over a hundred years since my disappearance? Well, that’s just another piece of the mystery.

 Inside the Biltmore Forest School

Tell us about The Cradle of Forestry.

The Cradle of Forestry in America is nestled in the Pink Beds Valley of Pisgah National Forest. On this site in 1898, Dr. Carl Schenck, chief forester for George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, founded the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in America. The goal of the school was to teach responsible forest management to local men, like myself, in the timber industry, primarily as a reaction to the extensive and indiscriminate deforestation of the area in the late 19th century.

The 6,500-acre site was designated by Congress in 1968 to “preserve, develop, and make available to this and future generations the birthplace of forestry and forestry education in America.”

Interactive Exhibit

What can people do there?

At the Cradle, you can become a part of the story by exploring the past, present, and future of environmental sustainability and stewardship. Our trails offer visitors a chance to explore seven historical buildings from the time of the Biltmore Forest School (1898-1914), climb aboard and ring the bell of a 1914 Climax logging train engine, and interact with historical interpreters through programs and special events. Inside our Discovery Center, you’ll find interactive exhibits on forestry, the Biltmore Forest School, Pinchot 1893 World’s Fair Wood Slabs exhibit, Community Science interactive activities and more, a spacious theater featuring the film “First in Forestry,” and a gift shop.

 Camping in the Old Style​

What special events do they have coming up? 

The Cradle of Forestry hosts events throughout the year. Upcoming events include:

National Public Lands Day (September 28,2024): Enjoy free admission, explore exhibits, and hike the trails on this “Fee-Free Day.

Remaining fee-free days for the 2024 season: September 24, September 28, October 22

Forest Festival Day & Woodsman’s Meet (October 5, 2024): Celebrate forest heritage with traditional craft displays and collegiate woodmen competitions like axe throwing and crosscut sawing.

Camping in the Old Style (October 12, 2024): Experience early 1900s camping with the Acorn Patrol and learn about trail maintenance from the Pisgah Chapter of Backcountry Horseman.

The Legend of Tommy Hodges Outdoor Drama (October 25 & 26, 2024): Immerse yourself in the early 1900s with this outdoor drama that brings the fictional Tommy Hodges’ story to life. As you walk the Biltmore Campus Trail, watch as different characters unfold the tale around you.

For more information on events and programs at the Cradle of Forestry, please visit gofindoutdoors.org.

 Photo Courtesy of FIND Outdoors

Tommy, the last event is all about you, is that right?

That’s right, and it’s your chance to step into the mystery. If you want to know more about what really happened to me and the history of the Biltmore Forest School, come to The Legend of Tommy Hodges. You never know—you might just catch a glimpse of me out there. But remember, the forest holds its secrets tightly, and you might leave with more questions than you came with.

A special thank you to FIND Outdoors for putting us in touch with Tommy Hodges.