Hygrade Inn: The Makings of a Memorable Stay in the PA Wilds
Cameron County | Dark Skies Landscape
The Hygrade Inn is nestled in Cameron County, located on the edge of the Dark Skies and Elk Country Landscapes of the PA Wilds. Built in 1880, the home that houses the Hygrade Inn has been a fixture on the tree-lined Main Street of Emporium for well over a century.
This boutique bed and breakfast was once the family home of Bernard Erskine. Erskine was an engineer and the founder of the Sylvania Corporation (originally known as Hygrade Syvania), the manufacturer of incandescent lamps and radio tubes.
The Erskine family resided in this home from its completion in 1880 up until the 1970s. In the years that followed, the Hygrade Inn passed through multiple owners without any major renovations. That is until its current owners purchased the home in 2018. Extensive renovations transformed this former family home into the luxurious boutique inn that it is today. In addition to replacing all of the electric and plumbing, the owners added the large mahogany front porch, which truly transformed the look of the building.
The Hygrade Inn features four high-end rooms, each bearing the name of a township within Cameron County. Each room is situated on the second floor and includes a private en-suite bathroom. On the first floor, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the hotel’s comfortable living room, a cozy sitting room, the library, and the expansive front porch.
Guests are served a full breakfast each morning and are invited to enjoy dinner options in the Portage Room. Dining in the Portage Room isn’t just reserved for guests of the inn, however, as the public is welcome to reserve seating for dining on specific evenings as well. The Hygrade Inn also cultivates community involvement through the hosting of their Supper Club.
The Hygrade Inn offers guests the chance to experience the character and charm of this historic building while also enjoying luxury accommodations. The knowledgeable innkeepers love to assist guests with navigating the nearby PA Wilds, helping to create a truly unique experience while visiting the PA Wilds region.
Located just a block or so away from the West Creek Recreational Trail, an 18-mile trail that connects Emporium to the nearby city of St. Marys, and a short drive from some of the most unique destinations in the region – such as Cherry Springs State Park, Hyner View State Park, the Elk Country Visitor Center and Straub Brewery, the Inn offers the perfect launchpad for exploring all the region has to offer.
The Hygrade Inn is a host site member of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Learn more about the Hygrade Inn and leave them a review or recommendation on their WCO profile.
RECENT WCO MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
- Entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders connect at Spring 2025 WCO Member Meeting in Williamsport
Current and potential members of the Wilds Cooperative of PA met at Lycoming Arts in Williamsport on Tuesday, April 29 for the first of two WCO Membership Meetings in 2025. These meetings are held twice a year, typically with the spring meeting on the eastern side of the Pennsylvania Wilds region and the fall meeting on the western side, giving as many Wilds Cooperative (WCO) members as possible the chance to attend. The Kellettville Campground in Tionesta will host the fall WCO Membership Meeting on September 23, 2025. - Otto Bookstore: Where the books are calling
Nestled in the heart of downtown Williamsport, PA in the I-80 Frontier landscape of the PA Wilds Region is the Otto Bookstore. Established in 1841 by Alexander M. Dean and named for his partner H.Y. Otto, the bookstore has been a cornerstone of literary culture. - Edge of the Woods Photography: Highlighting the beauty of the PA Wilds through photography and more
Bernadette Chiaramonte, the owner of Edge of the Woods Photography, is a multi-talented artist and Juried artisan of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania. Nestled in the serene Pine Creek Valley and PA Grand Canyon Landscape of the PA Wilds, Chiaramonte draws inspiration for her artwork from her surroundings. Her passion for art and nature can be seen throughout all her creative endeavors.
