Explore the childhood home of Rachel Carson with the Rachel Carson Fan Club!

PVAS Host: Annie Young

$20 for seniors, $8 for children 12 and under, $23 for all others. (members receive 10% discount) These fees cover the entrance fees to the Rachel Carson homestead. You may also purchase an iron-on transfer for the Rachel Carson Fan Club for $3 each, which you can add to a shirt, sweatshirt, tote bag, and more (see photo below)! For ages 7 and older. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Note that registration closes the evening of Wednesday, August 5. Limited to 20 participants.

PVMN Continuing Education Credit Eligible

Join the Rachel Carson Fan Club for a rare opportunity to visit the Rachel Carson Homestead, just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rachel’s love of nature began in the fields and woods surrounding her childhood home and eventually inspired Silent Spring, the groundbreaking book that launched the modern environmental movement. This is a special chance to explore the home where Carson’s remarkable journey began!

We’ll gather at 12:00 p.m. for a picnic lunch before enjoying the nearby Sensory Trail, where we’ll take time to experience nature much as Carson did, with curiosity, wonder, and all of our senses. Afterward, we’ll tour the Homestead with expert docents from the Rachel Carson Homestead Association.

To help everyone coordinate carpools, registration will close early on Wednesday, August 5.

Space is limited, and this special tour is available by appointment only, so we hope you’ll join us for this unique adventure!

photo credit: Craig Varga

• Walking Distance: About a mile or less
• Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)
• Exposure: Mostly shaded
• Terrain: The Homestead has limited accessibility for mobility-impaired visitors, including parking access, restroom and first floor. The second floor is accessible by old, steep, narrow stairs.
• Restroom: Restrooms are available for this program.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Meet at the homestead (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6TctfkKnrWpd53X7) at noon for the group to be able to enjoy their lunches at the picnic tables together and walk the sensory trail the homestead. The tours will begin at 1 pm. Registered participants will be sent a link to be able to share carpooling needs/preferences. Carpooling groups will need to meet at approximately 8 am, depending on the location.
• What to Bring: Bring a packed lunch to enjoy with the group at the picnic tables by the homestead. You may also want to bring a method of payment for the gift shop.

Register Here!

If the required minimum # of people do not register by 4 pm the evening prior, the program will be cancelled.

Read our pricing structure & policies.

About our Host: Annie Young has been working in various roles for PVAS for 20 years. She helped pilot and instruct the Watershed Initiative for fourth graders, created curriculum and led Wee Naturalists, led field trips, created community programming for visiting artists and biologists held at Cool Spring Preserve and volunteered for events. She has her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UVA and is the owner and director of Rainbow Montessori School , a nature-based preschool in Charles Town. Annie’s favorite things are spending time with her daughter in nature and crafting with found materials.