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A legacy of generosity at Villa Philmonte

 

If you drive down State Road 21 toward base camp, you may notice a very distinct building among the uniform administration and classroom structures. It’s a building with wrought iron gates, terracotta shingles, large arches and a vast green lawn in front.

This is the Villa Philmonte, the old summer home of Philmont’s benefactor, Waite Phillips. The Villa was used as a classroom for Boy Scout and advisor training until 1976 when the Boy Scouts started working to preserve the history of the building.  

After the restoration, the Villa was converted into a museum so people could learn about the Phillips family.  But the Villa is more than a place to display the life of Waite Phillips; it’s also a part of the Philmont story.  

Frank Tantsits is dedicated to preserving this story. He works as a tour guide for Villa Philmonte and embraces the spirit of the home wholeheartedly.  

“To me it’s almost a breathing place,” he said. “It’s a symbol of his generosity, and because of his generosity we need to stay as true to the way it was as when he lived here.”

Waite Phillips’ choice to donate the villa and the thousands of acres of land it sits on is not just a part of Philmont’s history, it’s how it started.  Scouts all over the nation and the world come to Philmont to gain wilderness experience, become good stewards and develop strong leadership skills. This is all thanks to Waite Phillips, whose legacy will live on forever at Villa Philmonte.

“If you don’t come to the villa and you don’t gain an appreciation for the generosity, then you might as well go to X Y Z National Forest,” Tantsits said.  “If you don’t come here and appreciate his generosity then you’re not getting the full experience.”

Frank Tantsits gives a tour of Ville Philmonte to a group of Philmont staff. During the tour he points out the stained glass window in the stairway, touching on some of the creative liberties the artist took. "The wagons," says Tantsits. "As big as the wagons would've been, as heavy as they would've been... horses wouldn't be able to pull them." He also points out the cactus, the way the Native Americans dressed, and the horses they rode.
Frank Tantsits gives a tour of Ville Philmonte to a group of Philmont staff. During the tour he points out the stained glass window in the stairway, touching on some of the creative liberties the artist took. "The wagons," says Tantsits. "As big as the wagons would've been, as heavy as they would've been... horses wouldn't be able to pull them." He also points out the cactus, the way the Native Americans dressed, and the horses they rode.
Ian Chamberlin looks through the window in the library. The window was added to the villa so Waite Phillips could look out and see the mountains. What Philmont staff knows as Window Rock is called so because it can be seen from the window in the villa and then you can see the villa from Window Rock. "Now you can't even see it, the trees have grown so high," says Tantsits.
Ian Chamberlin looks through the window in the library. The window was added to the villa so Waite Phillips could look out and see the mountains. What Philmont staff knows as Window Rock is called so because it can be seen from the window in the villa and then you can see the villa from Window Rock. "Now you can't even see it, the trees have grown so high," says Tantsits.
Philmont staff members take a look around the bedroom of Waite and Genevieve Phillips.
Philmont staff members take a look around the bedroom of Waite and Genevieve Phillips.
Tantsits takes the group to the sun room, where the Phillips family would relax by the fountain and enjoy the natural light coming through the windows. He points out some points of interest, like the indoor fountain with gold leaf details.
Tantsits takes the group to the sun room, where the Phillips family would relax by the fountain and enjoy the natural light coming through the windows. He points out some points of interest, like the indoor fountain with gold leaf details.
Sherry Hamilton heads upstairs with the rest of the group to see more of the villa.
Sherry Hamilton heads upstairs with the rest of the group to see more of the villa.
During a housewarming on July 4, 1927, Waite and his brothers carved their initials into a table. The reasons for the carvings are unknown, but it's suspected to have occured during an all night poker game.
During a housewarming on July 4, 1927, Waite and his brothers carved their initials into a table. The reasons for the carvings are unknown, but it's suspected to have occured during an all night poker game.
Picture of Alex Cenci

Alex Cenci

Alex Cenci is a second-year Philmont staffer out of Lewis Center, Ohio. She graduated from Ohio University with a degree in visual communication. Alex has previously worked at Philmont in 2016 as a photographer and is excited to be back after her time away.