The Victorian home that is now Taughannock Farms Inn was built in 1873 by Philadelphian John Jones as his personal country estate. During the 1930's Mr. Jones deeded the farm and most of his 600 acres to New York State for the creation of Taughannock Falls State Park (located across the street and surrounding the Inn). In the late 1930's, Molly, his widow, permitted rooms in the mansion to be rented out and a foodservice operation established. During the summers of 1940 and 1941 Mr. George Freeman ran the room and foodservice operation, but this was suspended during World War II. In 1945 Molly sold the mansion to Merrit and Maude Agard who began operating it as Taughannock Farms Inn. It has been in continuous operation as an inn since that time. In the fall of 1974, the Inn was purchased by the Agard's granddaughter Nancy (Agard) le Grand, who with her husband Keith, operated the Inn until 1996. In the winter of 1997, the present owners, Susan and Tom Sheridan, purchased the Inn. We bring many years of hospitality experience to Taughannock Farms Inn. Susan, a native Ithacan, and Tom, from Syracuse, will carry on the fine legacy established so many years ago. Interestingly, we are only the third family to have the honor to own Taughannock Farms Inn.

The Inn is nestled on approximately 12 acres of land overlooking Cayuga Lake and Taughannock Falls State Park. As you look at the park you may notice the oval shape of the great lawn. Mr. Jones had a keen interest in horses and this was the former site of his race track. An old map of his estate, that shows the track, hangs on the upper porch of the dining room. Additionally, much of his personal furniture is still a part of the Inn today.

The Inn has five guest rooms and a parlor on the second floor. All of these rooms have private baths and are furnished in antiques. Please feel free to go upstairs and look at our parlor and peek into any of the guest rooms that are not occupied. The yellow guest house (Parkview) that is next to the Inn has 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a screened in porch. It is right next to the Upper Gorge hiking trail, that leads back towards the gorge. The white house (Lakeview) that is directly across from the Inn on Gorge Road can be rented out as either a one bedroom or two bedroom suite or as the whole house. The blue guest house (Hillside) that is located just above the Lakeview guest house is the owner's residence, but has a separate guest wing with a private entrance that houses 3 guest rooms that all have private baths.

We hope that you enjoy your time with us. We also welcome you to use the Inn for occasions such as weddings, rehearsal dinners, banquets, business meetings, and luncheons.