The Lodge with Many Lives
The original structure at the Brinton Lodge was not nearly so grand as the stone mansion that stands today. It was first a small farmhouse built by the Millard family, one of the earliest to purchase land from William Penn in the area. In 1796 the property was purchased and became the Kirlin Homestead. During their ownership the Schuylkill Canal was constructed — right through the property.
In the early 1900s the property changed hands again to the Wittmans, a wealthy iron family from Philadelphia. They expanded the simple farmhouse into an opulent 28-room mansion, but rather than knocking down the original structure and starting over, the Wittmans built their mansion around it. It still stands today as part of the Lodge. During Prohibition, the Lodge came under the ownership of Reading hotelier Caleb Brinton, who opened it as an exclusive gentlemen’s club. It is said that Brinton handpicked his clientele from only the most rich and famous, who visited from far and wide.
In its more recent history the Lodge operated as Covatta’s Brinton Lodge Restaurant for many years before inheriting its most modern inhabitant yet – Hidden River Brewing Company.
Brinton’s Crafty Tenants
Brothers-in-law Kevin Margitch and Douglas Reeser saw Brinton Lodge not as a strange and run-down old building, but rather as an opportunity to take their brewing skills to the next level. The two had been homebrewing for about eight years before turning their passion for brewing (and drinking) beer into an award-winning brew pub.
Today the pub features a rotating selection of 12 to 18 creative craft beers and ciders produced on-site, as well as a weekly, locally-sourced dinner menu. Everything at Hidden River reflects the flavors of the area; many of their brewing ingredients and all their menu items are sourced locally.
Enter if You Dare
Any visitor to the historic lodge will find history lovers and beer aficionados alike enjoying the outdoor patio or meandering through the shadowy house, but many believe Hidden River Brewing isn’t its only inhabitant. The Lodge has also been named one of the top 10 most haunted buildings in Pennsylvania.
Mediums have confirmed that at least five spirits have taken up residence during the long history of the Brinton Lodge — and haven’t left. Among the residents are former owners Katharine Wittman and Caleb Brinton, as well as the Lodge’s infamous Dapper Dan. Skeptical? Book a tour to meet them for yourself! The Brinton Lodge Preservation organization runs public tours every weekend, and private tours are available anytime by request. Tours last approximately 90 minutes and include plenty of time to tour on your own.
In addition to its spooky tours and offbeat events, the Lodge is also home to a full calendar of community happenings, theater productions, classes and workshops, with all proceeds benefiting the ongoing restoration of the area landmark. For a full schedule visit brintonlodge.com.
