History of Woodbourne

Woodbourne Forest and Wildlife Preserve was originally part of the Cope family’s farm and woodland. The Copes were Philadelphia Quakers who came to Dimock to summer, as did many Philadelphians of the time. In the late 1800s, the family began to reside at Woodbourne year-round. Francis R. Cope, Jr. grew up at Woodbourne, as did his daughter, the nature writer Theodora Stanwell-Fletcher, later known affectionately as Teddy Gray. Francis was an avid naturalist and early supporter of the conservation of wild lands. In 1956, Francis donated the tract of land that is now Woodbourne Forest and Wildlife Preserve to The Nature Conservancy. Woodbourne was the fourth preserve established by The Nature Conservancy.  Photo:  The Dimock Bird Club conducts a stream life study in the lower lake woods at Woodbourne Preserve in Spring, 1921.

Francis Cope intended Woodbourne Forest and Wildlife Preserve as a source of education and inspiration, as well as conservation of this unique land. To that end, the Preserve conducts educational workshops for adults and children, and provides solace and subject matter to the area’s naturalists, artists and all those who take delight in a quiet and unspoiled scene.