Phillips Mill, New Hope

Frozen in Time!

The short bend on River Road in New Hope is a hamlet known as the Phillips Mill Historic District. Like many former mills, this mill has also been repurposed and now serves as an art gallery and home to a highly respected arts organization known at the New Hope Colony Foundation of the Arts.

Nearby buildings on the opposite side of of River Road were designed by by artist/architect Morgan Colt, featuring Tudor-style, stone cottages with leaded glass windows, heavy, medieval-style doors, and decorative ironwork. It looks like a village straight out of the English countryside and the age of the striking Sycamores gives a hint as to the vintage of this community. The buildings look much like they did when they were built, all in different stages of resurrection. The home that sits on the road was in the process of being restored when it was sold in 2025–the inn was also sold around the same time, and I am eagerly awaiting what is to come!

This area had its beginnings when George Marshall purchased the 27 acre hamlet in 1896 for his summer home. George invited William Lathrop (1859-1938), a renowned Pennsylvania Impressionist and original founder of the New Hope Colony, to come to Phillips Mill in 1899. Lathrop later invited painters Daniel Garber and Edward Redfield to join him, leading to the founding of the New Hope Colony and its artist residency. Lathrop worked en plein air, like many of his fellow Pennsylvania Impressionists. It’s funny that even back in the early 1900s, when most areas were not yet developed, people were trying to get away from the city in favor of more bucolic surroundings. New Hope continues to be a magnet for artists and creatives.

There is so much more to the history than I can write here, and luckily the Board of Architectural Review for the township of Solebury, among others, have written extensively on the history of this storybook enclave.

The Mill building itself is now the home of a performing and visual arts center and I thought this would be a good feature for Valentine’s weekend with the beautiful ivy that has been expertly manicured in the shape of a heart. Wouldn’t this be a great backdrop to propose or to say “I choose you again?” When there are no events at the Mill, the parking lot is often empty and easily accessible. However the road itself is narrow, so even two cars on the road will make this a risky walk!

This information was taken from The Phillips Mill website:

The Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show holds an exhibit each year in the fall. First held in 1929, the show attracts the best work of hundreds of artists living within a 25-mile radius of the Mill. Over a thousand people visit the show each year. All art is for sale—oils, watercolors, mixed media, pastels, and drawings as well as sculpture. The Art Exhibition Committee invests a great deal of time and energy to ensure the continued success of this historic exhibition.”

Phillips Mill has a members show each year, now in its third year. If you would like to submit work, there is still time! You can register for membership on their site and you have until February 21 to submit your artwork. The show will run from March 7 & 8, 1-5 PM,
March 13, 1-7 PM and MARCH 14 & 15, 1-5PM.

Hope you enjoy learning more about Phillips Mill!