Our History
Our History
We at Sylvan Ridge Farm are inspired by the property's storied past and excited that it is once again accessible to the community as a place to gather and create rich memories.
We at Sylvan Ridge Farm are inspired by the property's storied past and excited that it is once again accessible to the community as a place to gather and create rich memories.
Surrounding Area
Cultural, historic & nature-loving
Sylvan Ridge Farm is situated on Cummins Hill, a quiet, forested Pocono mountain dotted with private residences, hobby farms, and conservation organizations like the Delaware Valley Raptor Center and the Matamoras Rod & Gun Club. Our property is totally secluded, without a neighbor in sight, and guests can hide away from the world to their hearts' content. Should you wish to venture out, however, the surrounding area has much to offer in terms of both culture and outdoor recreation. Closest to home, the 3,000-acre Stairway Wild Area is just a few minutes up the road and includes a nice network of marked trails and a pristine, fishable lake. Once you've had your fill of nature (or if you're looking for more), heading down Cummins Hill Road will quickly bring you back to civilization! Sylvan Ridge Farm lies between Milford, PA and Port Jervis, NY, each a 10-minute drive away. As longtime locals, owners Alec and Linnea Geno will happily share their recommendations and help you plan an outing.
Founded in 1796, Milford is a historic small town with a vibrant community, described by Forbes Magazine as "comfortable and classy, offering a mix of rustic beauty and subtle sophistication." Its shops, restaurants, and variety of annual events attract locals and out-of-town visitors alike. One thing we love about Milford is although something new is always happening, thanks to its protected historic status the heart of the town never changes. Of 655 buildings in the district, 400 are considered to have historic interest! Perhaps the most fascinating is Grey Towers National Historic Site, the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, founder of the U.S. Forest Service and former governor of Pennsylvania. Milford also borders the north end of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a 70,000-acre protected area that contains 40 miles of the Delaware River, nine impressive waterfalls, and roughly 150 miles of trails maintained by the National Park Service, including 28 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Named one of Budget Travel's "10 Coolest Small Towns in America," Milford has been featured by The New York Times, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, Time Out New York, Niche, and many other travel magazines & websites.
An up-and-coming hotspot at the end of the MTA Metro-North train line from New York City, Port Jervis is an exciting small city just over the river. Originating in 1853 as an industrial hub for coal shipping, the city saw its economy decline in the latter 20th century due to railroad restructuring and a dwindling coal industry. In the past decade, however, Port Jervis has reinvented itself from a down-on-its-luck community to a thriving semi-urban center that makes excellent use of its surrounding natural beauty. The New York Times wrote a recent feature on this transformation, which includes the revitalization of the historic Front Street area along the Delaware River, the conversion of the Port Jervis Watershed into a first-class mountain biking locale with 50 miles of trails, and the addition of the East Coast's largest bicycle pump track. In the summer, several companies along scenic Hawks Nest road rent rafts, canoes, and kayaks for idyllic trips down the river. Strategic development of the city is ongoing, with plans for a boutique hotel, a white-water kayak park, and a railroad museum in the works. We couldn't be more excited about the ever-increasing opportunities for enjoyment on offer in Port Jervis for locals and visitors alike.