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1890
Ledges Hotel
Hawley, Pennsylvania
120 Falls Avenue, Hawley, Pennsylvania 18428
Original Property Opened in 1890
Historic Hotels of America member since 2013
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memorabilia
With unlikely beginnings as the O’Connor Glass Factory in the 1890s, Ledges Hotel built its reputation for spectacular surroundings and intuitive hospitality by merging modern design and amenities while still preserving its historical integrity. Perched over Wallenpaupack Creek in Hawley, Pennsylvania, amid the breathtaking scenery of the Pocono Mountains, Ledges Hotel is a cherished destination, offering tranquility and relaxation to all who come. The historic hotel in Pennsylvania offers guestrooms and suites, which feature handcrafted designs, artisan touches, and unique furnishings built from the wood of the original Bellemonte Silk Mill trusses. Continuing with its emphasis on environmental sustainability, guest amenities are made from natural and organic products.
Discover
- Discover the fascinating industrial history of Ledges Hotel. Housed in the former J.S. O'Connor American Rich Cut Glassware Factory, this distinctive bluestone building was given new life in the 1980s when it was first transformed into an inn. In its heyday, during the country's "Brilliant Period" of glass cutting between 1880 and 1906, O'Connor's glass factory was one of the most important of its kind in the United States, producing dazzling pieces with designs like Parisian, Florentine, and Princess. However, cut glass wasn't the only thing produced in the building. The building also did stints as a textile factory, weaving silks and, during World War II, nylon for parachutes and yarn for uniform emblems. Remnants of the original silk mill trusses are even used still today, creatively repurposed as furnishings.
- Revel in the creative spirit of the region by taking in the hotel's gallery-like atmosphere. As the site of a former glass factory that specialized in intricately cut designs, it is only appropriate that Ledges Hotel carries that artistic tradition by showcasing pieces by area artists. From paintings and pastels to sculptures and photographs, Ledges Hotel features locally created artwork around every corner. Not only are these pieces able to be enjoyed during a stay, but many are also available for purchase, allowing guests to take a piece of the Poconos back home with them.
- Be awed by the hotel's stunning natural setting. Perched over the Wallenpaupack Creek at the foot of the Paupack High Falls, Ledges Hotel boasts a breathtaking backdrop that is sure to impress. The hotel takes its name and design cues from the natural stone ledges that line the river gorge and support the falls, integrating harmoniously with its beautiful surroundings and allowing the magnificent views to take center stage. Multi-tier decks and a comfortable Great Room overlooking the falls make for the perfect places to take in rushing water as it cascades through Hawley toward the Lackawaxen River.
- Marvel at the hotel's striking architecture and adaptive design. Rising three stories above Wallenpaupack Creek, Ledges Hotel cuts an imposing figure. Crafted out of handsome bluestone, with decorative cornices and nearly 100 pediment windows, the hotel's design is evocative of Federal architecture, a style that flourished during the formative years of the United States. During its construction and years as a glass factory, the building was also considered an engineering marvel, utilizing hydroelectric power gleaned from the creek that flows directly behind the property. Today, the hotel's exterior spaces blend seamlessly with the surroundings while paying homage to the building's history, immersing guests in both abundant natural beauty and rich heritage.
Explore
- Explore the banks of the Lackawaxen and Delaware rivers. The Lackawaxen River, a tributary of the mighty Delaware River, flows through Hawley, Pennsylvania, not far from Ledges Hotel, offering plenty of opportunities for quiet reflection and more active recreation without traveling too far from the hotel. Further afield, in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, around a 30-minute drive away, Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct stands as the oldest wire suspension bridge in existence in the United States. Also known as the Roebling Bridge, this suspension aqueduct is one of four on the Delaware and Hudson Canal and was built by John A. Roebling, who would go on to be the mastermind behind the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. During a visit to the bridge, travelers can trace the footsteps of the canalers and mules who once made the trip more than a century ago with a walk across the former aqueduct. Afterward, literature enthusiasts can take a detour to the neighboring Zane Grey Museum. Once the home of author Zane Grey, who was famed for adventurous Western novels about the American frontier, the museum now houses items like photographs, manuscripts, first editions, and memorabilia.
- Make a splash at Lake Wallenpaupack, the third-largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania. Located less than two miles from the hotel, this massive reservoir is a sprawling 5,700 acres in size, stretching 13 miles in length with 52 miles of uninterrupted shoreline. Just as vast as the lake itself is the range of activities it offers, from slower-paced recreational opportunities like kayaking, swimming, and fishing (anglers enjoy Lake Wallenpaupack for its hefty smallmouth bass) to high-adrenaline fun like jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and boating. Outdoor adventurers can take in Lake Wallenpaupack from dry land as well, with biking and hiking also available nearby. History buffs, meanwhile, can dive into the lake's rich heritage at the Wallenpaupack Historical Society.
- Wander through the Lacawac Sanctuary, a 550-acre nature preserve on the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack. Along with more than nine miles of hiking trails, the Lacawac Sanctuary is also home to a collection of historic buildings and a pristine glacial lake. The location is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a registered U.S. National Natural Landmark. Constructed in 1903 in the Adirondack Great Camp style, the building complex was once the summer estate of William Connell, 6 of the site's 8 original buildings remain. Visitors today can see the main house, barn, spring house, pump house, coachman’s house, and ice house. Equally notable is Lake Lacawac, a pristine body of water at the heart of both the Lacawac Sanctuary and the field station's overall mission. Considered the "southernmost unpolluted glacial lake in North America," the lake's minimal human disturbance and the sanctuary's range of ecosystems make it a living laboratory for scientists and students from across the country.
- Enjoy some fresh air at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Located a little over 30 minutes from the hotel, this natural area preserves the land surrounding the Delaware River that cuts through the Appalachian Mountains between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Considered the Eastern Gateway to the Poconos, this distinctive geological notch is the inspiration behind the region's name, as the Native American word "Pocono" roughly translates to "stream between two mountains." Biking and boating are both popular activities here, thanks to the area's stunning wilderness views, as is hiking, with 28 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail winding through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. During a visit, be sure to stop by the three-tiered Raymondskill Falls and Dingsmans Falls, Pennsylvania's first- and second-tallest waterfalls.
Experience
- Experience the beauty of Mother Nature at Grey Towers National Historic Site. Once the summer home of Gifford Pinchot, two-time governor of Pennsylvania and the first chief of the United States Forest Service, this French château-inspired house boasts beautiful views of the Delaware River from its hillside perch in the Pennsylvania town of Milford. In addition to visiting this U.S. National Historic Landmark, guests can also learn about woodland ecosystems during a walk along the Forest Discovery Trail, see a recreation of a Yale School of Forestry tent site, take in a complimentary ranger talk, and explore the Milford Experimental Forest. Throughout the year, Grey Towers National Historic Site also puts on special events like guided hikes, seasonal tours of the house and grounds, live musical performances, and more.
- Stroll through a piece of Poconos history with a visit to D&H Canal Park at Lock 31. Conveniently located less than three miles from Ledges Hotel, this 16-acre park offers a snapshot into life on the Delaware & Hudson Canal. From 1828 to 1899, the canal was used to transport coal from the mines of Northeastern Pennsylvania to the Hudson River and, eventually, to market in New York City. Today, this former canal lock remains mostly intact, the only one of its kind in Pennsylvania. Along with a replica canal boat, guests can also explore the Daniels Farmhouse, an 1820s-era homestead that, through the years, has served as a private home, an inn, and a canal store.
- Take a day trip to the nearby village of White Mills, Pennsylvania, which produced some of the finest crystal in the United States between the 1850s to around 1910 courtesy of the Dorflinger Glass Works, which created pieces for U.S. presidents and influential families of the Gilded Age. Today, the hamlet is home to two museums dedicated to the craft: the Dorflinger Glass Museum and the Dorflinger Factory Museum. Located inside the former house of founder Christian Dorflinger, the Dorflinger Glass Museum boasts over 1,000 pieces of cut, etched, engraved, gilded, and enameled Dorflinger crystal and glass, one of the largest collections of its kind in the country. Guests can also appreciate the craftsmanship of the Dorflinger Glass Works at the Dorflinger Factory Museum. Housed in what was once the factory's cutting shop and factory office (circa 1883 and 1888, respectively), this fascinating museum details the history and production process of the signature cut lead crystal, which adorned some of the most prestigious tables in America.
- Cross the state line into New York for a visit to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Situated roughly 45 minutes from the hotel, this remarkable cultural institution is located on the site of the historic 1969 Woodstock festival. Through interactive displays, treasured artifacts like a hippie bus, and media like films and music, the Museum at Bethel Woods brings the storied festival to life and shares the ideals that made it an enduring cultural phenomenon. Appropriately, Bethel Woods also carries on Woodstock's legacy by offering access to the arts, encouraging peace through music by hosting a free summer concert series for families, musical performances by world-class artists throughout the year, seasonal festivals and markets, live theater, creative workshops, and more.
Taste
- Savor stunning views of the river gorge falls while dining on elevated small plates at the hotel's restaurant, glass – wine. bar. kitchen. Whether sitting in the dining room or out on one of the multi-level decks, diners enjoy panoramic vistas of Wallenpaupack Creek and the Paupack High Falls. When they aren't busy tucking into shareable dishes made with locally sourced ingredients or delighting in the spectacular scenery, guests can also gaze up remnants of the building's glass factory past, like original glass mold prints. An all-American wine and beer list round out the restaurant's list of offerings.
- Toast to good times with family and friends and the beauty of the Pocono Mountains at the nearby Three Hammers Winery. Located only 15 minutes down the road from Ledges Hotel, Three Hammers Winery is the perfect place to while away an afternoon following more active outdoors adventures. The winery itself is brimming with regional history. The grounds, known locally as Whitehall Corners, are home to the township's oldest known building still in existence, a white clapboard farmhouse dating back to 1820. The structure was built by brothers Abraham, Eli, and Israel Hammer, members of the Society of Friends of Philadelphia and the inspiration behind the name Three Hammers Winery. Wines on offer are small-batched and handcrafted, infusing care and thoughtfulness into every bottle. After enjoying a glass, visitors can take a stroll down the nature trail or relax by the pond from the comfort of an Adirondack chair. Those looking for more can also book their weekly vine-to-rind experience, which features a spread of wine and cheese pairings.
- Greet the morning in true Pennsylvania fashion with a slice of scrapple for breakfast. A Pennsylvania Dutch spin on paté, scrapple is the head-to-tail philosophy of butchery in breakfast-meat form. As the name suggests, the dish is crafted out of cooked pork scraps (think loins, rib tips, and organs like heart and liver), cornmeal, and spices, including sage, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns, and garlic. The entire concoction is then typically shaped into a loaf, cut into slices, pan-fried, and served alongside breakfast classics like pancakes and eggs with a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Round out a meal just like many Pennsylvanians: with a wedge of shoofly pie. Similar to scrapple, shoofly pie's roots trace back to the state's Pennsylvania Dutch community. The filling for this traditional dessert is made with sticky-sweet molasses and brown sugar and is crowned with a crumb of flour and more brown sugar. Naturally, these sugary ingredients are as popular with flies as they are with people, inspiring the name "shoofly pie," as the baker would inevitably need to shoo the flies away from the pie as it cooled on the sill. (In fact, knowing this, the Amish will often bake up some spare shoofly pies for outdoor gatherings and then place them far away from diners, drawing flies to the decoy pies instead of those being eaten.) Shoofly pie is available with either a "dry bottom," offering a cake-like texture throughout, or the more popular "wet bottom," which features a gooey layer near the crust. So, be sure to sample a slice of both.
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