A beautiful blend of outdoor living and rich heritage—Milford in Pocono Mountains is full of adventure, delightful eateries, historic architecture, and the birthplace of America's Conservation Movement. The spas, natural mountainous forest, and waterfalls are refreshing—and picturesque Grey Towers Estate and historic downtown district with antiques, boutique shops, casual café, and refreshing mountain air relaxes the soul. Milford is a charming mountain getaway only 1-1/2 hours from Philadelphia and New York City.
Grey Towers National Historic Site
The main attraction in Milford is the French-style château and summer home of New York interior merchant—Gifford Pinchot who made a living selling wall-covering and founder of American Conservation Movement was the first director of U.S. Forest Service and Governor of Pennsylvania. His wife Cornelia Bryce Pinchot was an avid gardener and activist in women’s suffrage, trade unionism, and child labor reforms.
The 1886 Neo-Norman style fieldstone mansion with two conical roofed towers designed by Richard Morris Hunt renowned for the Biltmore Estate and entrance to Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The 19,000+ square foot mansion has 44 rooms and 23 fireplaces—the opening from the library is the East Terrace with views of the Delaware Valley and Kittatinny Mountains. Flanking the peaceful terrace are European Copper Beeches.
The surrounding the mansion is stunning stately gardens—The Marble Court and Finger Bowl are popular features—the naturally paved pathway of marble with stone wave etching of the 3-masked schooner “The Mary Pinchot” and outdoor dining room with water-filled table and wisteria-covered pergola. The Long Garden and Pool with sculpted landscaping extend the East Terrace from the Letter Box to the Bait Box—The Letter Box a the private office for the Governor and Bait Box was a playhouse for the children—designed by Chester Aldrich. The home and gardens donated to the U.S. Forestry Service in 1963 are truly a hidden gem.
The Lincoln Flag - The Columns Museum
The most intriguing thing about Milford is the Lincoln Flag at the Columns Museum and Pike County Historical Society. The bloody 36-star flag placed under Abraham Lincoln’s head as he lay mortally wounded at Ford’s Theatre is on exhibit.
Thomas Gourlay the stage manager at Ford’s Theatre obtained the flag on April 14, 1865, the night of Lincoln’s assassination. Jeannie Gourlay Stuthers who was also there that evening and leading actress in “Our American Cousin”—later moved to Milford and inherited the flag whose descendants donated to the historical society in 1954. Of the three American flags displayed at the Ford’s Theatre’s presidential booth—this is the only one accounted for. One of the two remaining Treasury Guard Flags is on display at Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford, CT. The Columns Museum is a neoclassical-style mansion and museum dedicated to local history.
Historic Downtown
Milford is on the National Register of Historic Places with 74 historic homes and buildings reflecting Greek Revival, Romanesque Revival, French Norman Revival, French Second Empire, Neo-Classical Revival, and Bungalow. In the heart of the town is Broad Street the center of shopping, dining, and activity—lined with historic homes, specialty shops, and the town's only street light. Strolling along the street are antique shops, cafés, art galleries, historic inns, and gourmet deli’s—including Artisan Exchange, Jewelry Square, Naked Bagel Co, 403 Broad, and Brooklyn Boy Pork, Tom Quick Inn, and Historic Hotel Fauchère. At the main intersection are three prominent buildings—Forest Hall, Pinchot Homestead, and Dimmick Inn.
Forest Hall
The most notable building is Forest Hall—originally Yale University School of Forestry. The 1904 French Normandy style building built by James Pinchot and designed by Hunt & Hunt, Richards Morris Hunt’s architectural firm. It connects to the 1880 Gothic Revival building and storefronts now lined with antique stores and art galleries.
Pinchot Homestead
The fashionable residence of Jame Pinchot the father of Gifford who built Grey Towers. The 1855 stylized classic Greek Revival home is stunning with a gable roof and arched double-hung windows on the second story is now the Milford Community House, Library, and Visitors Center.
Dimmick Inn & Steakhouse
The inn and tavern built by Samual Dimmick in 1828 once served as a hotel, restaurant, post office, saloon, and stage-coach stop—and is still the center of the social scene in Milford. Dimmick’s features a three-story gabled brick façade, wide trim cornices, and Doric columns supporting a double wrapped gallery porch at the only traffic light in town. It is most notable feature is the large flags draped on the exterior—and the original rustic taproom and fireside dining are warm and charming. In the summer the open-air porch is the place to enjoy a meal—the Standard Burger and Steamed Prince Island Mussels with lemon, garlic, parsley, and white wine are delicious.
Hotel Fauchère
The picturesque 1880 Italianate-style hotel with 18 guest rooms has been the cornerstone of hospitality and fine dining in Milford— Hotel Fauchère offers three unique settings for an enjoyable meal—the formal and elegant Delmonico Room named after Louis Fauchère friends the Delmonico Brother and the famous NYC restaurant where Louis was a master chef. The Bar Louis with its modern photography and contemporary art— and Bar Louis on the Porch the most charming and popular dining spot offering views to street life and historic main street.
The Upper Mill
The 19th-century water-powered grist mill built in 1882 with a working waterwheel also served as a blacksmith and woodworking shop. The restored historic mill has a self-guided tour detailing the inter-workings of the waterwheel and country causal cafe—Waterwheel Cafe is a great stop for coffee—and offers a unique blend of classic pastries, breakfast, lunch, and contemporary dinner with modern Vietnamese flair.
Raymondskill Falls
The beautiful three-tiered cascading waterfalls are the tallest in Pennsylvania—Raymondskill Falls at 178-feet high is a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls. It is a short hike with two viewing platforms—and plenty of trails in the surrounding Delaware Water Gap region.
The region around Milford offers is plenty of hiking—The Milford Knob has moderate trails with beautiful wildflowers. Cliff Park’s scenic hiking trails and Minisink Overlook provide stunning views of the valley and river. And for the more adventurous there is Kittatinny River Trips & Zips with white water rafting, calming water canoeing, and the only zip line in the Delaware River.
Dingmans Falls — Dingmans Ferry
Further south from Raymondskill Falls is the second tallest waterfalls in Pennsylvania—Dingmans Falls cascades 130-feet down the mountainous gorge into a refreshing pool and flowing creek. The beautifully cultivated shaded nature trail is handicap accessible and wraps along the river lined with hemlock, stunning trees, and hillside cliffs—the ravine surrounds you every step of the way. Along the trail, you’ll also pass Silverthread Falls—shivering thinly threaded 80-foot waterfalls near the entrances to the trailhead.
Deer Leap Falls, Fulmer Falls, and Factory Falls are also nearby—from here it is only a short drive to the popular Bushkill Falls.
Milford gives you the best of the outdoors in the comforts of a mountain town with a rich heritage. Its natural forest, history, and casual eateries are charming and enjoyable for the entire family—and the Pocono Mountains offer dozens of charming villages, waterfalls, and adventurous hikes—so get out and explore.
Sources: Wikipedia, Pocono Mountains, Milford Presents, Grey Towers Heritage Association & local business websites.
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