Explore our extensive 85 miles of hiking paths, trails, and carriage roads that were first built in 1871 by horsepower and dynamite. Visit our Barn Museum to see antique carriages and other historical artifacts. Stroll through our Show Garden and visit our Stone Summerhouse dating to the 1880s. Explore Mountain House history through the book Mohonk and the Smileys, and learn about the paintings throughout the Mountain House in the book Paintings at Mohonk (both available in our Gift Shop).
Our History
The History of
Mohonk Mountain House
Family-owned and operated by the smiley family since 1869
Back in 1869, Albert Smiley purchased 300 acres and a 10-room inn by a majestic glacial lake in the Hudson Valley. His mission was to provide opportunities for recreation and renewal of body, mind, and spirit in a beautiful natural setting.
And still today, his legacy continues to thrive. More than a resort, Mohonk embodies a love of nature, preservation of history, and respect for the world around us.
As our guest, you become a part of our history, and we hope our Hudson Valley resort will always remain a part of yours.
Discover the wonderful world of Mohonk
Mohonk Stories
Watch videos of Smiley family members, Mountain House staff, and longtime guests as they share their thoughts and personal Mohonk stories.
Hidden Histories AR App
Hidden Histories is an augmented reality (AR) experience that will immerse guests in the history of our storied resort. Through this mobile app specifically developed for Mohonk, guests will be sent on a journey to locate 12 pieces of artwork that act as trigger points for the app.
A look back through time
When you stay at Mohonk Mountain House, you are choosing to be part of a legacy. As proprietors of an independent, family-owned property for more than 155 years, the Smiley Family (who has stewarded the property since its inception) have been pioneers of hospitality and environmental conservation.
The facility itself is continuously renovated and restored to ensure that history is preserved for our guests now and in the future.
What is Mohonk Mountain House?
Mohonk Mountain House is a Victorian castle resort nestled in the Hudson Valley, only 90 miles north of New York City. Surrounded by 40,000 acres of pristine forest, our National Historic Landmark resort offers inclusive pricing with farm-to-table cuisine and countless activities.
Who owns Mohonk Mountain House?
The Smiley Family have owned and operated Mohonk Mountain House since Albert Smiley’s original purchase in 1869. For 155 years, six generations of Smiley family members have devoted their talents to ensure that Mohonk continues to thrive and carry forward its values and traditions.
When was the Mountain House built?
Albert Smiley originally purchased Stokes Tavern, a ten-room inn on Lake Mohonk, and the surrounding acres. It was renovated and expanded, and the Mountain House underwent a grand but gradual conversion to the place we see today. The facility opened with accommodations for 40 guests in June of 1870.
Is Mohonk Lake man-made?
Lake Mohonk is a glacial lake, fed from sky water, not from nearby streams. It stretches a half-mile long, and is 61 feet at its deepest.
Archival Photo Gallery
Watch videos of Smiley family members, Mountain House staff, and longtime guests as they share their thoughts and personal Mohonk stories.
Mohonk Mountain House
is a proud member of
Historic Hotels of America
Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest Historic Hotels. Historic Hotels of America was founded in 1989 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation with 35 charter members.
Today, Historic Hotels of America has more than 300 historic hotels. These historic hotels have all faithfully maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity in the United States of America, including 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Historic Hotels of America is comprised of mostly independently owned and operated historic hotels. More than 30 of the world’s finest hospitality brands, chains, and collections are represented in Historic Hotels of America. To be nominated and selected for membership into this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.
Activities for Our History Buffs
When you visit our Victorian castle resort, you are stepping back in time – hike on trails that were built by horsepower and dynamite in the late 19th century, paddle a canoe across Lake Mohonk, and enjoy Afternoon Tea and Cookies in the Lake Lounge each afternoon – just as guests have done for more than 150 years.
Historic Hiking Trails
Barn Museum
With a rich and storied history, the Mohonk Barn Museum is a step back in time to the founding of our mountain resort. With items dating back to the 1800s, the museum showcases items including Victorian-era carriages, antique farm and kitchen equipment, and a 1929 Model A Ford Station Wagon.
Victorian Show Garden
Take a stroll through our Victorian show garden that originated in the late 1880s by our founder Albert Smiley. The gardens held a special place in Albert’s heart: while other departments were held closely accountable for expenses, the Mohonk gardens were and are evaluated along the lines of pleasure, satisfaction, good health, and beauty—but not in dollars.
Mohonk Historical Literature
Mohonk and the Smileys
Written and edited by Larry E. Burgess, the newest edition of Mohonk and the Smileys (formerly titled Mohonk: It’s People and Spirit) details the rich history of the land, the Mountain House, and the Smiley family.
Paintings at Mohonk
For more than 150 years, the Mountain House and landscape have been a frequent subject for Hudson River School painters. Sanford Levy, an expert on local 18th and early 19th-century art, has created a catalog of Mohonk paintings along with a guide to where they can be seen in the Mountain House. Through fine art, guests can view Mohonk scenes of the past and compare them with the views of today.
Sister Organizations
Since the inception of Mohonk Mountain House, the Smiley family has been committed to sustaining the natural environment and engaging with thought-leaders from around the globe on various issues of importance for the time.
In 1963, The Mohonk Trust was founded by Smiley family members and Mohonk friends, as a not-for-profit land trust, with goals related to the family’s long-held land stewardship concerns and preservation of open space. This private nature trust is known today as Mohonk Preserve.
In 1980, Albert K. Smiley, Jr. established Mohonk Consultations to carry on the Smiley family tradition of bringing people together to discuss the interrelationships of all life on earth, with emphasis on the sustainable use of the earth’s resources.
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