For more than eight decades, Gilder Palmer’s life was deeply intertwined with the rolling fields, stone walls, and timeless beauty of Four Brooks Farm in Tyringham, Massachusetts. Born on August 22, 1925, to Dr. Walter W. Palmer and Francesca Gilder Palmer, Gilder inherited not just a family name steeped in history, but also an unwavering sense of responsibility to protect and preserve his heritage.

From an early age, he embraced the values of stewardship, resilience, and service. Educated at The Friends School and The Dalton School in New York, and later at The Putney School in Vermont, Gilder developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and rural life. His promising athletic career as a member of the Olympic ski team was interrupted by World War II, but his dedication to service never wavered. Enlisting in the Navy as a medic, he served alongside the Marine Corps in the Pacific, witnessing history at both the battle of Iwo Jima and the signing of the peace treaty aboard the USS Missouri.

Returning home in 1948, Gilder married Anne Alsop Gilder and began a new chapter rooted firmly in the land his family loved. Together, they operated the family’s dairy herd of Jersey cows at Four Brooks Farm before Gilder expanded into beef cattle, hay, and corn production. His deep connection to the land was matched by his commitment to young people and community—through his work with Outward Bound and his own program, Challenge for Youth, he inspired countless individuals to develop character, resilience, and self-reliance.

Whether tending fields, repairing fences, or welcoming neighbors and family to the farm, Gilder Palmer embodied the role of caretaker—not just of the land, but of the stories, traditions, and relationships that defined Four Brooks Farm. He served as a Tyringham town selectman, ran a lumber business, and worked in local industry, always with an eye toward preserving the rural character and historic integrity of his community.

Gilder’s legacy lives on through his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—many of whom maintain a connection to the farm today. His life’s work ensured that Four Brooks Farm remains not just a place on a map, but a living testament to the Gilder and Palmer families’ shared history.

In Gilder Palmer, Four Brooks Farm had not only a farmer and leader, but a faithful guardian whose roots ran as deep as the soil he worked.