Rowe Woods was founded In 1965, a handful of dedicated and visionary naturalists, including Stanley M. Rowe Sr., Karl H. Maslowski, Kay Benedict, Helen Black, Katherine T. Nyce, Jim and Jeanne Anderson with 5 other people, created an organization where people could experience, study and enjoy the natural world. Cincinnati Nature Center's original site, Rowe Woods in Milford, Ohio, was the physical location for this new organization. Rowe Woods Photo Gallery.

Rowe Woods and the Cincinnati Nature Center will stand as a memorial to Stan Rowe. Stan was on the board of the National Audubon Society when it was left a large estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, together with a substantial amount of money "to educate people in the ways that nature works and how they should be safeguarded." This resulted in the formation of Audubon's first Nature Center. 

Stan's mind was prepared, therefore, when in 1965, as he told the story later, "Karl Maslowski (noted nature photographer and writer) came to me and said, 'You know that Carl and Mary Krippendorf died a few weeks ago and it would be a shame to have that wonderful piece of property split up into residential lots.' 1 said it would be an excellent location for one of the new Nature Centers. We went at once to see the Krippendorf daughter, Rosan Adams and she was delighted with the idea. She said, 'I wish 1 could give it to you but 1 can't. 1 will sell it for the amount that was used in my parents' estates.' "

Stan Rowe dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the project: developed plans with the help of the National Audubon Society, raised practically all the funds needed for the purchase, planning and development of the property (raised $2 million of endowment funds after he had passed age 80), organized a board and made the dream a reality. "When he had the idea someone ought to give, he never let up on it," Snowden Rowe.

At the Nature Center's fourteenth year, Stan was able to report "we have increased the Krippendorf's 175 acres to 755 to which should be added Neil and Camilla McElroy's gift to us of their Long Branch Farm with its 535 acres." The Center then had over 3500 members and was completely solvent. "This has all been done," he concluded, "without receiving any public funds.

Today Rowe Woods has expanded or time by acquire adjacent properties and when Wildwood, the old Groesbeck Estate was acquired and is now even larger with more room to wander. There is a whole new area to the south and adjacent to Rowe Woods that is a new park but 48 acres of trails with trees, meadows and wetlands. Stan Rowe and the others would be proud of what they started. Thanks.

Rowe Woods History Information

The web site is for the enjoyment of all who have visited or do visit Rowe Woods.
This website is not affiliated with the Cincinnati Nature Center.
It is to enjoy Rowe Woods and remember in detail the people who founded it and its main purpose.
The website will chronicle the history of Rowe Woods and CNC. 

This site is dedicated to 
Stanley M. Rowe Sr., Karl H. Maslowski, Kay Benedict, Helen Black, Katherine T. Nyce, Jim & Jeanne Anderson
As well as the other 5 founders of the Cincinnati Nature Center

Dennis w. Camp Copyright © 2006 - 2008