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 Discover Milford, Pennsylvania
Courtesy www.800poconos.com
Anyone looking to escape to a town full of rich history and natural beauty won’t have to
look further when they find Milford, Pennsylvania. Located along the majestic Delaware River in Pike County, in
the northeastern section of the Pocono Mountains, Milford’s well-mannered charm offers historic sites, natural
beauty, shopping, culture, and a kaleidoscope of events throughout the year.
The Delaware River flows adjacent to Milford, and offers spectacular scenery and a myriad of recreational activities.
Promising open space for everyone, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area covers a 40-mile stretch of
the river that passes by Milford and reaches to the town of Delaware Water Gap, PA. Anything from sightseeing,
swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, bird watching, and cycling can be enjoyed, making it a favorite place
for locals and visitors alike. Travelers on Route 209 south of Milford can drive through the Recreation Area on
their way to the charming town, or on their way home. There are many places to view the river along this route,
including a number of waterfalls that are just a short way off the main road.
Visitors to Milford can count on an interesting dose of American history. Grey Towers National Historic Landmark
is the jewel of Pike County as well as a national treasure. Grey Towers is the former home to Gifford Pinchot,
twice governor of Pennsylvania, and father of American conservation. Built in 1886, it was home to the Pinchot
family until donated to the U.S. Forest Service in 1963, the very organization that Pinchot created in 1898.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the grounds which feature gardens that have been restored to reflect Mrs. Pinchot’s
gardens in the 1930’s and 1940’s, along with pleasant walks and scenic views. They can stand in the same place
where President John F. Kennedy dedicated the Pinchot Institute for Conservation in 1963.
Milford also hosts some valuable artifacts of American history. At the Pike County Historical Society’s Columns
Museum, visitors can marvel at “The Mayflower Candlestick,” an original that was brought to these shores on the
Mayflower in 1620. The most sought after artifact, however, is the Lincoln Flag. This authentic blood stained flag
was the very one that cradled President Lincoln’s head minutes after his assassination in 1865.
When traveling from Grey Towers to the Columns Museum, one will drive through downtown Milford. Reflected in the
buildings that were made from bluestone mined locally in the early 1800’s, a portion of the business district has
a National Historic Area designation. Milford’s tree-lined streets and small shops and restaurants make it a great
place for an afternoon walking tour. Stroll the antique shops and art galleries that are filled with unusual artistry,
original antiques, hand-made jewelry from then and now, and much more.
Milford also marks the beginning of a long road of heritage and adventure along Pennsylvania’s Route 6. The highway
has been dubbed by National Geographic as, “one of America’s most scenic drives.” Travelers can start in Milford,
and drive over 400 miles across Pennsylvania and beyond to see vast wilderness, as well as a number of historic
firsts for the nation. The route can be traced back to 1807, and today remains one of the longest highways in the
nation.
All year long the people of Milford are working to bring exciting events to the area. April in Pike County is a
celebration of the season that offers various activities, crafts, and local specials. The Pear Blossom Festival
is the finale to the month-long celebration that offers a pear bake-off, live music, art, and exhibits. The Delaware
River Sojourn is an eight-day, educational paddle down the entire length of the Delaware River, in early June.
When it passes through Milford, it is a great opportunity for the whole family to hop in a canoe to learn about
the ecology of the river while having fun. In October, the film starts rolling with the Black Bear Film Festival.
The festival is committed to supporting and generating interest in innovative independent films with a special
emphasis on films that explore the human condition within the natural world. To celebrate the winter season, Milford
decorates itself in white light for the Festival of Lights in December.
The growing artistic community in Milford is eagerly awaiting the Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts,
which will open in spring 2003 in Bushkill, PA, a short drive away. The center will be placed in a serene and peaceful
setting where in one weekend, visitors will be able to catch a Broadway musical, listen to a lecture about a great
composer, and hear the philharmonic under the stars with the sounds of the lake lapping on the shore. The multi-functional
cultural center will be a distinctive venue for an exciting blend of old and new.
According to Bob Uguccioni, executive director of the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc., “Milford is one of
the most beautiful places in the Pocono Mountains. The Delaware River, the historic sites, and the town itself
make Milford an extremely popular vacation destination for people all around the northeast and beyond. With the
Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts on the way, more and more people will get to experience the unparalleled
treasures of the region.”
- For more information about Milford, or the rest of the four-county Pocono Mountains region, visit the Official
Pocono Mountains Tourism Website www.800poconos.com. Visitors may also
call 1-800POCONOS (1-800-762-6667) for free brochures and vacation planning information.
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