Promont House Museum
History of Promont
Iconic Arcitecture
Who has lived at Promont?
Join us for our exciting upcoming events at the Greater Milford Area Historical Society! From exclusive exhibitions to educational workshops, our events offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history of our region. Experience the stories and wonders that shaped our present, and create lasting memories with friends and family. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of history in the making. Reserve your spot for the next event today!
What's in a name?
Are you ready to become a part of the Greater Milford Area Historical Society? Join us today and unlock a world of history, culture, and community. As a member, you’ll have exclusive access to our events, exhibitions, and educational workshops. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories that shaped our past and create lasting memories with friends and family. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of history in the making. Sign up now and reserve your spot for the next event!
Historic Features
Take a Tour
Promont for Events
Historic Teas
Museum Administration
GMAHS Administrators and Board
About Us
GREATER MILFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
History of Promont
The Greater Milford Area Historical Society (GMAHS), established in 1967, is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of Milford and Miami Township, Ohio. Originating as Old Milford Incorporated, the society has grown from its initial small museum setting to occupying the historical Promont mansion, reflecting its commitment to safeguarding the area’s heritage. Through extensive restoration projects, educational initiatives, and community engagement, including a noteworthy partnership with local schools, GMAHS serves as a vital custodian of the region’s past, ensuring its stories and traditions are kept alive for future generations.
Promount Museum
Promont stands as a majestic Victorian mansion built in 1865, rich in history and architectural beauty. Once the residence of John M. Pattison, the 43rd Governor of Ohio, this remarkable home has witnessed over 150 years of the region’s history. Today, Promont serves as a museum under the stewardship of the Greater Milford Area Historical Society, showcasing an array of period furnishings and rotating exhibits that bring the past to life.
Events
How do I become a member?
History of promont
Promont is a Victorian mansion that was built in 1865. As the former home of John M. Pattison, Ohio’s 43rd Governor, this home has a vibrant history behind it.
Now a museum and a hub for GMAHS, Promont is filled to the brim with period furnishings and ever-changing exhibits. It also houses a reference library and a gift shop. The structure of the home has never been altered, remaining as true to its original build as possible. It has three levels and a tower that was recently renovated, so you can now climb up it for a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area.
Iconic Arcitecture
Work on the Promont began in 1865 and continued until its completion in 1867. The bricks were all made and fired on the grounds. Promont was designed in the Italianate Style, which means that the house has a center hall with two connecting rooms on each side. Each of the four floors boast the same layout. Other features that make it Italianate include the shape and size of its windows, its wide eaves, and the use of quoins throughout, which are decorations on the corners of the house.
The grounds of the house originally stretched over 56 acres, reaching as far as the well-known Five Points intersection near the location of the current police station. It offered its residents over 3,360 square feet of living space.
WHO HAS LIVED AT PROMONT?
Promont has been around for more than 150 years, so it should come as no surprise that it’s had multiple owners. This timeline showcases the various families that have called this historic house home.
What’s in a name?
Before it was known as Promont, the house was called Beechwood, thanks to the abundance of beech trees on the property. William George Williams, John Pattison’s father-in-law, later re-named it Promont, which is Latin for a prominent mass of land overlooking or projecting into a low land. Williams was a professor of Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and English grammar at Ohio Wesleyan University.
HISTORIC FEATURES
The house had state-of-the-art features for its time, including:
- Inside shutters
- Call bells in every room
- Argon gas light fixtures
- A gravity-flow running water system
- A force pump in the kitchen to send water from the outside cistern up to the tanks on the third floor
- A stationary washstand in every room
- A closet in the kitchen with a slide to the dining room service area
Currently, the museum has been restored to how it looked from 1879 to 1906 when Governor Pattison and his family lived there.
TAKE A TOUR
Promont is more than a museum, it’s a journey into the past. We offer docent-led tours for a personal and immersive experience. Private tours are available throughout the week and can be scheduled by contacting us at (513) 248-0324, Monday to Thursday, between 10 AM and 4 PM. Additionally, the museum welcomes the public on the first and third Sundays of each month from 1 PM to 4 PM.
docent-led tours offer a personal and immersive experience.
The museum welcomes the public on the first and third Sundays of each month from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Private tours are available throughout the week and can be scheduled by contacting us at (513) 248-0324, Monday to Thursday, between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Promont For Events
Nestled amongst the trees on top of a hill overlooking Milford, Promont is an ideal location for weddings, bridal showers, afternoon teas, corporate meetings, and more. Promont’s Italianate architecture acts as a beautiful backdrop, adding a touch of old-world elegance to any event.
Inside, the vaulted ceilings and intricate woodwork create an intimate ambiance for small gatherings. Out on the grounds, the elegant gazebo and wooded lot will easily accommodate larger events.
With advance notice, we can even provide you with docent-led tours of the museum during the event. Better yet, GMAHS members receive a discount on the house rental fee!
If you’re interested in holding your special event at Promont, contact Kim Phipps, our Event Coordinator, at (859) 409-3504 or promontevents@gmail.com. For more information, check our Facebook page:
