I'm a Maine based photographer, specializing in weddings and lifestyle portraiture. I serve all of New England and beyond as no event is ever too far.
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I sent an email out to a group of ladies who all run their own businesses and have made an impact in my life. I had some questions.
In late June of 2014, I received a Facebook message from a friend from high school. He wrote: “I noticed you like to shoot derelict buildings and decaying scenery in a lot of the work you’ve posted. Whenever you’re in the Poconos you should go to Birchwood. All kinds of weird shit there.” I immediately...
Very cool!
I love your work & your pix are so amazing ❤️
Great pics. I grew up around the corner. Never knew what a hidden gem this was. Hope they rebuild. I miss the good ole days <3
These are great photos . But sad and depressing that this place was just left to rot away. I worked here as a chambermaid in the late 70s and I have to say it was the best job I ever had. The money wasn’t great but the job was fun. We used to drive golf carts around from room to room and get great ham sandwiches from the restaurant for lunch. In those days the place was booming with honeymooners. I spent many money’s hanging around that table in front of the washers and dryers , where we would drink coffee and load our gold carts with cleaning supplies and sheets and towels for our rooms.
These are great photos. But sad and depressing, that this place was just left to rot away. I worked here as a chambermaid in the late 70s, and I have to say, it was the best job I ever had. The money wasn’t great, but the job was fun. We used to drive golf carts around from room to room and get great ham sandwiches from the restaurant for lunch. In those days the place was booming with honeymooners and full of life. I spent many mornings around that table in front of the washers and dryers , where we would drink coffee and load our golf carts with cleaning supplies ,sheets and towels for our rooms. Alot of great memories go back to those yrs. at Birchwood.
I worked in the Dinning room,off and on from 77 to 81! Had fun there too! Such a shame that it fell into the mess it is today! I loved getting snow in there!
Very sad to see it so abandoned. Had some great times as a musician at The Birchwood thanks to Paula Caravella.
I’m am very impressed. This was extremely interesting and very sad. The death of a era past. Excellent photo’s Melissa. You are talented and creative! I loved seeing this!
I too, worked at Birchwood Resort. From 90-98 I was the Housekeeping Mgr. It was when Wally lost the resort and PNC bank had a management company run it. At first the changes came slow, we still had a great clientele. Many couples stayed a week or longer, but then the management company( Beck Summit) wanted to keep the bid on running the resort would have us cutting our budget 15% every year. It started showing and the clientele also changed. We got alot of fire companies from Long Island come for the weekend and they destroyed the place. It was very sad. Once it was sold, the new owners weren’t much better. I left because I had four housekeeper and myself to do the rooms, public areas and laundry plus manger the dept. I coukdn’t bear to stay and watch Birchwood get run into the ground. On the brighter side, the people I worked with were wonderful, we had a sense of family, always helped each other out. Forged life long friendships and too many great memories to list.
Could have Claude have used the peanut butter more recently? Or would he be willing or able to share why things were left behind. I am glad they are so pristine for the most part and wish I could have visited when it was open or it could be restored to its’ former glory.
Thanks, Melissa, for sharing these pictures! My husband and I spent our honeymoon here the week of May 25th 1980. We loved it so much there,but never got to go back to have another get-away! We had 11 children instead!! We lived in NJ at the time, but have since moved to Ohio.
I had heard that the place was abandoned and always told my husband that all I wanted to do was go back to see Birchwood again to re-live the past!!
Last November, on our way to NJ for Thanksgiving, we did JUST that! I had saved my paperwork,a map of the property, we were given at check-in, so I knew just which cottage we stayed in.I walked into our cottage, and it had the same furniture it had in 1980! I actually found a drawer that I had signed the inside on our honeymoon! What a fantastic find after 35 years!!! It was actually one of the most exciting days of my life! Who could go back to a place that they wrote something down 35 years ago, and find it again in an abandoned place! I have menus from our dinners that were rolled up nicely on our plates each night.
We took hayrides, bowled,went swimming,put put golf, and even took shooting practice!! At night we would go to the Red Baron Lounge for drinks!! What fun memories!! It’s so sad to see it today but I’m so glad it hadn’t been knocked down before we got to see it again. We also met Claude, who we didn’t know was even there, so we are so lucky he didn’t use his gun on us!! It’s a disgrace that kids would have such little regard for property, and destroy Birchwood, that was once so beautiful!! We were able to take pictures too and a video, and share them with our 11 kids!! Thanks again…..it’s fun to go down memory lane again!
Mary Ann, thank you so much for stopping by my blog and sharing your story. You explained your experience at Birchwood so well, I could visualize it. I’m also blown away that you two had 11 children!! Holy amazing! Thanks again for sharing!!
Thank you for the great pictures! Tom and I spent our honeymoon there October. 1975. You actually have a picture of our bedroom in the 2 story cottage with the same 4 poster bed!! 41 years later!! Awesome! We walked the property this time last year; was sad but brought back great memories! I brought my pictures of what it looked like then and took some of what it looks like now, but your pictures are
much better. Wish I could buy it and bring it back as a resort for those of us that honeymooned there.
My wife and i also honeymooned at Birchwood sept. 12 1970, My hope was to spend the weekend there on our 50th in 2020 so sad we will not get the chance. We loved the place and it was affordable for a young couple just starting out. We just looked at our photo album still in the wooden holder. This spring we will drive up there and look at it before its totally destroyed hope we get to meet Claude. Thanks for your photos, brings back good memories.
My husband and i spent our honeymoon there in April 1988. The staff was fantastic the way they catered to their guests. We had such a great time that we stayed an extra night. The grounds are so beautiful. I have lots of pictures. My husband even brought i fishing pole so i have pics of him with his catch. Always planned on going back but got busy with having to kids. I looked into going back on our 25th anniv. to find out they had closed. Still have the little trophires that we won for bowling and archery. Hung out with lots of nice couples and partied and danced in lower level lounge. Great pictures Melissa. Thank you for the memories.
I want to thank you for your photos. It is sad because we honeymooned there in 1966 into a 2 story cottage. Our own photos taken in 1966 show the good time yours are expressing clearly that sometime, time is hard on businesses.
I don’t know why Birchwood closed but I guess it is a lack of capacity to modernize and be updated.
Anyway we are still in love after 50 years and Birchwood will always remain part of our very good souvenirs.
We are from Canada and went at Birchwood in november 1966 for our honeymoon and went back in 1967 when one of our friend also honeymooned in Birchwood in 1967.
Georges
Melissa, I was captivated by your pictures and completely fascinated by your story of the resorts abandonment and subsequent collapse. How incredibly sad. I performed in a band that played at Birchwood in the early 80s. I could never forget the place, as it was the first time this old southern boy ever walked on a frozen lake. We were treated like kings and I remember the lounge area as being well staffed and filled to capacity every night. Excellent food and so many cool things to do. Thank you for your excellent photo essay and your personal story of working at the resort to go along with it. Sincerely,
Charlie
My wife and I stayed there for our 15th anniversary in Dec of 2001, and at that time the owners of the property were Chinese. They had bought the property to build a worship center for their religion. They couldnt get approval and ended up folding. I an a group of investers looked into buying the property and building a new family resort, with Condos, 9 hole golfcourse, and keeping log construction of the dining building as the focal building. It was s beautiful log structure with a massive stone hearth at one end of the dining room. We put together a purchase plan, blueprints, traffic study, utilities study and many other due diligence items, and one of the last things we did, was to have a relative of one of the partners, start talking to members of the Town council to see what they thought of the possibility of the property being purchased and redeveloped. EVER member of the council told our contact, that the Mayor of the town would never let us get an approval for anything, as he wanted the resort, and was willing to block anything else from going in there. Needless to say, we all as investors in the property, backed out of doing anything with the property.
At the time we were there it had already run down some, and we were calling around in the middle of the night to other resorts to try to book a weekend stay, but could not find anything. The next morning, when we walked outside the pond side cabin, there was a small herd of deer standing next to our cabin. That caused my wife and I to fall in love with the old place. We also wrote our name on the fireplace wall, like so many before us. The meals we had during our 3 day stay, were fantastic, and the wait staff were awesome.
I was going to extend the runway so larger aircraft could use the landing facilities, either for our planned resort, or other attractions closeby.
It is such ashame for such a beautiful resort to have become derelict the way Birchwood has. Unfortunately, family resorts just like Birchwood are going in same direction. Families no longer take 1 or 2 week vacations together like they used to when Birchwood was built. I hope that someone with the same passion for the property is finally able to get around the town council, and rebuild Birchwood into the family resort destination it is capable of becoming.
We spent our honeymoon at Birchwood, May 27, 1972. Just went back tonight, May 27, 2017, 45 years later. Sad, but also nice that we could walk around the abandoned buildings so many years later. Your pictures are wonderful. Thank you.
I would love to walk through it I just drove by it for the first time about 2 weeks ago I can’t help but to stop and drive slow every time now I feel drawn to it. If I have the money I would love to buy it and redo it to the way it was not big hotels do it just like it was there are not many places like this around I much rather stay in a place like this then a hotel
I stayed here with my than girlfriend in 1999. Place was a dump. Our cottage was filthy and old, all craved up furniture with names. The food was gross. All we did was get drunk and have sex for 3 days non stop.
Thank you so much for sharing about Birchwood. My husband & I also went there on our honeymoon 7/10/1976. It was a wonderful place. I am so sorry to see & hear how it has been abondoned. We never got back to visit it. It is so sad to see these pictures. It is an eerie sight to see how so suddenly they just left. It appears there was no notice they had 5 minutes to leave & that was it. So sad. Thank you for sharing. All good things have to end I assume. Just wish the outcome had been better for Borchwood
Pam
As our 50th Wedding Anniversary approaches, Sep 2nd, we wondered if OUR honeymoon site still existed. Though it is somewhat sad to see the state that Birchwood is in now, your pictures brought back many good memories. Thank you.
My husband and I honeymooned here 25 years ago this place seemed so far away from hillside nj where we were living at the time. Back then I never imagined I would be living in the same county but here we are 25 years later driving by here the other day brought back a flood of memories . We will be returning this weekend to take pictures and visit our cottage
Wow this makes me so very sad. My husband and I honeymooned here in June of 1977. It was beautiful. All that’s left is the memories .
Thank you so much for the pictures. We also spent our honeymoon there. Feb 14 1981. 37 years and still counting. Always wanted to go back for 40th anniversy. The food was great then and our cottage. Makes me want to cry to see what has happened. Thanks again for sharing. Pam
My husband and I vacationed at Birchwood twice before going on our Honeymoon on 7/26/86. We stayed in Chalet #2. Beautiful private with a fireplace upstairs and a fireplace and jacuzzi upstairs i our canopy bed and other bedroom furniture
Downstairs along with the fireplace was living room furniture. I loved the entertainment in the Red Baron Den and the other couples who we met. Birchwood may be no more but my memories will last forever with our pictures.
Melissa,
Great pictures! It is 50 years since our honeymoon. Even though Birchwood is in ruins, our memories are not. We are hoping to drive up this summer just to take a final look around.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures, as most that I’ve seen only show the decay. Yours tell a story that we are part of! We started going to Birchwood in 1984 and went back a minimum of 25 times throughout the years. Christmas time was magical there, at that time they had a horse-drawn carriage that you could rent and it was so awesome. We saw the decline coming for a long time, but it didn’t really matter because it was “our” place.
I hope Chip, Ingrid, Carol, and all of the other fantastic people who made our time at Birchwood are happy and well.
Again, thank you for your awesome approach to showing Birchwood through my eyes!!
Thank you for the beautiful photos. We started going to Birchwood in 1984 and visited at least 3 times a year. The staff was so special to us; Ingrid, Paula, Chip, Carol, and so many more!
I have such a heavy heart knowing that this special place has been left to crumble to the ground.
At least we have our memories and photos of such fun times and special friends!
Again, beautiful photos-you captured the true essence of what Birchwood once was.
I was broken hearted when I saw these pictures. My first husband and I spent our 5-day honeymoon here in April of 1962. We flew over the Delaware Water Gap with Wally. I still have the bill – $153.90 for the entire time! We had a great time – bowling, horseback riding, roller skating, pedal boating, and just spending time with the others we met there. It was a magical place and I will never forget those wonderful memories.
Thanks for sharing the pictures. Brought back memories from an early June 1981 honeymoon there. That canopy bed was why I choose Birchwood over many other Pocono resorts. It was a lovely place back then.
I recently moved to the area of the resort. Took a turn today down Birchwood Road/Lane, passed the resort. Does anyone know anything about the pond, it’s quite pretty, looks like it would be nice for kayaking.
My wife and I were married February 18, 1978 and honeymooned at Birchwood. It was just after the “Blizzard of ’78”. There was still a lot of snow on the ground. We decided at that time we’d go back on our 5th anniversary which we did. As circumstances would have it, there was another blizzard. Conditions were almost identical to our honeymoon. We flew over the Delaware gap, snowmobiled, ice-skated, used the ranges, indoor pool and more. On each visit we were in a lakeside chalet. Wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing your photos!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_United_States_blizzard_of_1978
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/the-megalopolitan-blizzard-of-february-10-12-1983/2013/02/12/be05ae32-73a9-11e2-aa12-e6cf1d31106b_blog.html?noredirect=on
Honeymooned at Birchwood with husband, Jay, 3 weeks before he went to Vietnam in 1965. We went back on our anniversary, for several years. It’s sad to see what has happened to the resort. We have a lot of wonderful memories along with a photo album of us taking part in the many activities that were offered, including an indoor pool, roller skating, hayride, my first plane ride, bowling, horseback riding, hiking Bushkill Falls, shooting range, square dancing and so many more. We have just celebrated our 54th anniversary and it’s nice to look back on fun times.
Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Thank you! This was really special to me. I visited Birchwood twice in the late 80s to early nineties. I was looking to see if it was opened and found your article. My favorite memory was the horse and carriage ride. The food was delicious and they took our picture in the dining room. Would love to return there.
Hi We stayed at Birchwood on our honey-moon in July of 1963. It was a wonderful week and I am so sad to see it this way now. I hope someday it can be restored!
My husband and I took our honeymoon there in 2000! So sad to see it in this shape! We loved it and even still have our souvenir glasses from there!
As our 40th anniversary is approaching in October & this made me think about our honeymoon. This is where we flew to. My husband is a helicopter pilot and we flew up from S. Jersey. It was a beautiful place to relax and enjoy being married. We even brought our roller skates. (That is where we met). It is so sad to see what has happened to the beautiful place. Thank you for the pictures. Each one reminded me of the wonderful time we had and the beautiful place it was. Thank you for sharing this.
Oops spelled my email wrong…
I had my honeymoon there in 1972
I have pictures of when the buildings were Beaitiful
My parents honeymooned here in 1966, I may have some photos of what it was like in its heyday, for comparison.
My wife worked at the nightclub 1977-79 and has been trying to find old friends. When did you work there.
Oh My. How sad to see what’s happened to the property. My husband & I honeymooned there in late August of 1969. It was a wonderful place and we enjoyed The facility even provided a nite in the city for dinner and cocktails.
So sad to see what’s happened t o this place. My husband and I honeymooned there in August 0f 1969. We enjoyed the facility to the max.
I remember very happy special moments with my husband and very special friends—about 1992—& many years – met a lot of friends & enjoyed the nightly entertainment!!
Sooo sorry to see these pictures— but have pictures in my mind of beautiful “‘Birchwood”. Sitting on the swing by the lake & watching the ducks
Great dinners at the restaurant!!!
How were you able to gain access to seeing the Resort? I’ve always wanted to tour it and see where my parents went to honeymoon.
How did you gain access to tour the resort? I’ve always wanted to go see it on person since my grandparents honeymooned there.
We were married April 26, 1975. Honeymoon at Birchwood went back 2 years later and met another couple that honeymooned with us I was six months pregnant . It’s been 47 years and we thought we would take a ride to Birchwood hopefully we will make it tomorrow on our anniversary. Thanks for the wonderful pictures and flashback memories. Hopefully we will be able to meet Claude.
I recently came across some old slides from my parents honeymoon and I found this blog in researching “the Birchwood.” I can send you the link to the photos if you are interested in seeing old photos of the resort when it was open…
Like so many others, we honeymooned at Birchwood Resort from December 19 through December 25, 1971. We are still married 51+ years later and Birchwood had a lot to do with that. We learned candle making, shot bow & arrows, bowled, roller skated and generally had the most magical time of our young lives! We took a flight with Wally as part of our package. Stayed in a two story chalet with a heart shaped tub and the most god – awful looking pedestal sinks! All early American and we loved it. Bought and used floating candles (had never heard of them), but we were 19/21. Went to Birchwood’s version of “The Newlywed Game”. Great time.
When we were planning where to stay, there were MANY choices in the Poconos. We loved the colonial theme of Birchwood. Drove from Euclid, Ohio to the resort in our 1968 Road Runner. As we left our wedding decorations on the car, we got lots of “Beeps” on our way. We expected heavy snow in the Poconos and went prepared for it. Never saw a FLAKE!
Stopped back twice in the last 15 years. First time, the Orientals were ruining the place, but Wally was still there and took our picture in front of the wishing well. Second time, the place was abandoned. Absolutely heartbreaking, but fantastic memories. Family owned and operated. A magical place. We enjoy our photos from that time, roller skating, playing ping – pong. The dining room was spectacular. Sadly, kids today don’t know what they missed.
To those of you who worked there, thanks for the memories.
My parents spent their honeymoon there in 1969. We went back to see it around somewhere around 2000. It was still owned by someone but it was run down. Too sad. Someone needs to buy it and restore it. They stayed in one of those cottages around the lake.
We will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary on 8/18/23. We were wondering if the place we spent our honeymoon still existed. Upon googling “Birchwood Poconos” we came across your website. Sad that the place is in such disrepair but we loved your photos. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa, thank you for this photo essay of Birchwood. Your photos are outstanding and tell the sad story. My wife and I were married in July of 1978 and spent a week here in one of the lakeside Chalets. Everything was great, the chalet, food, drinks but most of all the people that took care of us and made it memorable. The one thing that surprised us was the airplane ride around the resort. We had never flew in such a small plane. Needless to say my wife never flew in such a small plane again! It was a bumpy experience. As an amateur photographer I appreciated the photos in B&W that you added. We’re in better shape than Birchwood is after 45 years.
We spent our honeymoon there in 1974. We are coming up on our 50tha anniversary ext month.
My husband and I went to Birchwood May 27, 1974 for our honeymoon. We also went there for our 3rd anniversary. We are now celabrating our 50th Anniversary. Many memories there. We still have the candles we made there. Every day we went in the gift shop to dip our special candles. We are heart broken looking at what has happened to our special place. We had stayed in a beautiful chalet on the lake, went water skiing and they even gave us a plane ride. We are so hoping the new owners can restore Birchwood to the spectacular place it was.
I volunteered dog photography at AWS {the Animal Welfare Society} in Kennebunk, Maine to help the adoption process with my good friend, Nicki Fenderson this week. We hadn’t made a trip there through the winter so the minute it was nice enough out, we headed to meet the dogs. All boys this week. It was so good to...
I volunteered dog photography at AWS {the Animal Welfare Society} in Kennebunk, Maine to help the adoption process with my good friend, Nicki Fenderson of the Pixel Chicks this week. We spent time hanging with six dogs and one of them is not available just yet. We’ve never seen the shelter so packed. One thing that stood out to...
Contributors : Professional Portrait Photography by Melissa Mullen : Model Claudia Snow : Styled by Aphrodite Salon : Leo the Pug xoxo . . .
Beautiful shots and LOVE that Leo makes an appearance!!!!!
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I'm a Maine based photographer, specializing in weddings and lifestyle portraiture. I serve all of New England and beyond as no event is ever too far.
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