MILLERTON — Meals in Millerton will be especially satisfying during a five-time “Dine Out for History” event at some of Millerton’s favorite eateries, with 10 percent of the profits going to the North East Historical Society.
The special evenings are part of the Society’s efforts to raise funds to expand its facilities, digitize its collection and increase its outreach, particularly to educators.
Society president and Millerton attorney Ed Downey said the organization’s work is needed, because “I think it’s really important for anyone to have a sense of place,” especially in a society “that seems to be changing so rapidly.
“Having an understanding of your community as it is now but also what its origins were and how it’s evolved and how it’s developed would be very important to someone whether that person has lived here since childhood or is a new resident,” he added.
On Sunday, Jan. 27, at 5:30 p.m. at The Millerton Inn, co-owner Eleni Stefanopoulos will be among the eager audience members as Society member Meg Downey kicks off the series with a brief discussion of the inn’s history.
“Obviously being one of the oldest buildings in the town we have a kind of duty to support the Historical Society in the community and to try and preserve whatever is left of our town,” Stefanopoulous said.
She noted she and her co-owner father Peter “have always been real history buffs. Old is very near and dear to us, so I love having a part to play in doing something like this. We also want to support any local community benefits or charities. I think it’s very important for local businesses to kind of stick together.”
She is particularly eager to learn more about the structure that was built in the mid–1850s as the town was being formed to make use of the expanded railroad facilities.
“I kind of consider myself a bit of a detective,” said Stefanopoulos. “I try and dig up as much information as I can and so learned a great deal” when purchasing the building three years ago.
“It’s going to be really great to see if they have kind of uncovered anything that I haven’t,” she said. “I’m sure they have more ‘ins’ than we do.”
Although not a baseball fan, Stefanopoulous is especially taken by the fact that major league player Eddie Collins, after whom the recreation fields are named, was born upstairs.
“Another thing I find really charming is that back in the day it used to be a doctor’s office. So there’s a lot of our clientele that come in and say, ‘You know we have such different memories walking in the front door as children.’ Now they’re walking in to have a good dinner,” she said, instead of getting poked by needles. “It’s a very different environment for them from when they were children.”
In addition to the historical significance, Stefanopoulos appreciates, “the beautiful bones of the building. You can just tell it was such a carefully thought of building… something for people to come and to enjoy. It was meant for hosting — for bringing people together… especially with its location in the center of the town. It’s kind of perfect.”
The restaurateur said they tried to preserve as much as possible during the one-year and nine-month renovation, “especially the walls that are the most characteristic parts of the building… all of that woodwork… the hand-carved staircase and etchings and everything. We tried to keep it as true to the building as possible.”
She said her father was the “mastermind” behind the architecture knowing which walls needed to come down or which needed to be rebuilt. They aimed to create “a more modern — less heavy — feeling but keep that historic comfort and charm.” She said that she helped more with the cosmetic aspect and, in effect, “put on the lipstick.”
The results can be seen via a 360-degree virtual tour at www.themillertoninn.com and will hopefully attract diners to the fundraiser that will feature the Inn’s regular menu as well as specials that will be posted on Facebook at The Millerton Inn or Instagram at The_Millerton_Inn. Reservations should be made at 518-592-1900.
Future “Dine Out for History” events are scheduled for The Golden Wok on Monday, Feb. 4; Oakhurst Diner, Monday, Feb. 11; Manna Dew Café, Sunday, Feb 28; and 52 Main, Thursday, March 7. Reservations mentioning the Historical Society are generally suggested.
