Taughannock Tidbits
The word Taughannock (pronounced tuck-han’-uck) is thought to come from either the name of a Delaware Indian chief or from the Delaware word “taghkanic” which means “great fall in the woods.”

When you enter the Inn, take a look at the mammoth, antique mirror on the right-hand wall of the entry. It’s part of the original furnishings. And if you stand at just the right angle, you’ll see little points of light, like stars. That’s diamond dust! That’s the way mirrors were made in the 19th century.

The Taughannock Farms Inn Compound is part of the historic fabric of the Finger Lakes.

The main building was erected in 1873 as a private, summer residence for John Jones of Philadelphia. Many of the lavish furnishings he brought with him are still in use today, some pieces imported from England and Italy. The chandeliers, thick carpets, lace curtains, and richly textured wallpapers are all faithful to the era in which the mansion was built. (picture of fancy garden bedroom in file, garden.jpg) The Jones family lived on the estate for 72 years. Their 600-acre holdings stretched down to the edge of Cayuga Lake and they even had a private horse-racing track on the property! You can see the oval shape on the lawn as you look toward the entrance to Taughannock Falls State Park across from the Inn.

Mr. Jones deeded most of his estate to New York in the mid 1930s so the State Park could be created. At about this time, rooms in the mansion were rented out and food service added. Merrit and Maude Agard bought the estate in 1945 and began operating it as an Inn. Taughannock Farms remained in the Agard family until 1997, when it was purchased by us, Susan and Tom Sheridan.

In all this time, only three families have owned Taughannock Farms. We think that’s one of the reasons history and tradition have remained so strong here…why our guests arrive eagerly and leave reluctantly, savoring an experience few other inns can offer.

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