His father, Dimitri Alexeievich Galitzine (1728–1803), Russian ambassador to the Netherlands, was an intimate friend of Voltaire and a follower of Diderot; so, too, for many years was his mother, Countess Adelheid Amalie Gallitzin (1748-1806), until a severe illness in 1786 led her back to the Catholic Church, in which she had been raised.

He then served as an aide-de-camp to the commander of the Austrian troops in Brabant; but, following the assassination of the king of Sweden, he, like all other foreigners, was dismissed from the service.

With Gallitzin's leadership, Loretto became the first English-speaking Catholic settlement in the United States west of the Allegheny Front.

Father Gallitzin worked to build Loretto by establishing a gristmill, tannery, and sawmill in the town.

He also was instrumental in the education of the children of the area and served as a doctor, banker and lawyer for many of the citizens of Loretto.

On June 6, 2005, it was announced that Gallitzin had been named a Servant of God by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the first step on the path toward possible future sainthood.

The National Park Service discussed plans for opening a Recreation Demonstration Area just to the east of Patton on Beaverdam Run.

The idea was approved and on April 4, 1957, Governor George M. Leader announced plans for the construction of the park.

Visitors interested in staying over night can use one of 437 campsites or rent one of the 10 cabins at Prince Gallitzin State Park.

The common game species are squirrels, turkey, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, and rabbits.

[2] The park is a popular horseback riding destination with about 22 miles of pleasant and easy trails.