MILFORD, Ohio — The Greater Milford Area Historical Society will host a holiday shopping event at the Promont House Museum next month, inviting visitors to browse work from seven local artisans inside the historic Italianate home that once housed an Ohio governor.
“Promont Affaire: A Unique Shopping Gala” runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 at Promont, 906 Main St., and will let visitors “shop, sip, tour” and chat with the vendors, according to the historical society. Participating artisans include Two Stitches Millinery, Shelly West Artist, She Shack Knick-Knacks, Slow Art Fiber, Love, Gigi Skincare, Bella Rose Jewelry Design and Paisley Quilts & Bags.
Promont was built in 1865 by William McGrue on a hill overlooking the Little Miami River and was originally named “Beechwood.” It was later renamed “Promont” — derived from a Latin term for a prominent piece of land overlooking lower ground — by William George Williams, a professor whose daughter married John M. Pattison. Pattison moved into the home in 1879, nearly three decades before he was elected Ohio’s 43rd governor. He served only from Jan. 8 to June 18, 1906; weakened by Bright’s disease, he returned to Promont the day of his inauguration and directed state government from the house until his death there on June 18, 1906. He is buried in Milford’s Greenlawn Cemetery.
The home, an Italianate Victorian structure largely unchanged since it was built, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It remained a private residence until 1983, when owner James Kirgan donated it to the historical society, which has operated it as a house museum ever since.
The Greater Milford Area Historical Society was founded in 1967 as Old Milford Incorporated and is dedicated to preserving the history of Milford and Miami Township, according to the organization. In addition to the December gala, the society offers docent-led tours of Promont, period furnishings, rotating exhibits, a reference library and private event rentals.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Greater Milford Area Historical Society.