Kane, Pennsylvania, is home to the Kane Manor Inn, owned and operated by Dr. Debra and Ben Miller. The house is open year-round for reservations and offers 15 rooms to choose from. Ten rooms are located in the main mansion house, while five of the rooms are situated across the street from the main house. Common areas on the property include a dining area, multiple porches, a butler’s pantry, a foyer, and a parlor that offers a piano and games. The building is located on 10 acres of land, which backs up to 240 acres of wooded land patrons can access. Various trails stem from the premises. Some of the attractions that can be found near the house are Allegheny National Forest, Allegheny Reservoir, and Kinzua Bridge State Park. The house is listed on the National Registry of Historic places since it was built for the family of the town's founder, Civil War General Thomas L. Kane, in 1896.
Kane Manor Inn, owned and operated by Debra and Ben Miller, is located in the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. Fifteen rooms are available for guest reservations, most featuring queen-size beds. A select few also offer either a full bed, a single twin bed, or two twin beds. Five of the rooms are located in a separate building across the lane, while the other ten are in the main house. Each unit is equipped with an ensuite bathroom, as well as air conditioning and decorative fireplaces. Notably, the rooms in the middle of the house were used by the original family who lived in the home, while the other rooms were originally used for staff and the nursery quarter. Each unit has been “decorated in a style that meets like an early turn of the century in early 1900s style,” says Debra. Due to this, all rooms vary in size and style. Out of the 15 units, the owner reports that the original bedrooms, such as the Blue Room, Yellow Room, and Fountain Room, tend to be the most popular.
Characteristics of the Kane Manor Inn include it being about 18,000 square feet with high ceilings and architecture dating back to when the home was originally built. Common areas are also offered to those staying at the inn, such as the original dining room, where breakfast is served; the Bucktail Room, named after the regiment raised by Civil War General Thomas L. Kane; a relatively large foyer and parlor featuring a piano, fireplace, and games; a veranda; an enclosed front porch; and a butler’s pantry. Some of the kitchen amenities that guests have access to over the course of their stay are an ice machine, glassware, microwave, refrigerator, and china. Moreover, there was a basement that was formerly used as a pub but is currently under renovation. The area is expected to grow in size as more renovations are completed. It should also be noted that in the office, patrons can purchase t-shirts.
Breakfast is served in the previously mentioned dining room every day to those staying at the Kane Manor Inn from 7:30 to 9:00 am. “We have a fully cooked hearty breakfast every morning,” says Debra. Dishes that are typically served are blueberry pancakes, waffles, specialty pancakes, omelets, and french toast. A coffee and tea service, a fruit course, and items that consist of starch, meat, and eggs are also provided for visitors. Breakfast is served plated through a waitstaff. Those with dietary restrictions or preferences can request accommodations for the morning meal if they notify the owner ahead of time. Ben remarks that his wife, Debra, has a Ph.D. in nutrition science, and because of this, she is more experienced when it comes to accommodating food restrictions.
There are two parking lots on the 10-acre property, and the inn backs up to another 240 acres that guests are allowed to hike through. Various trails start from the premises, some leading into the Allegheny National Forest. Debra comments that visitors have access to an “enormous trail system for hiking [and] biking.” Located a block away from the inn is a Rails to Trials station, which is often used by snowmobiles and ATVs. Gardens and a firepit with a sitting area are a few of the features offered on the land. Activities that visitors can participate in without leaving the property include snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, lawn games, and biking.
Besides being located near the aforementioned national forest, the inn is located in a residential area. In the lawn area, away from the woods, a wedding tent is able to be set up. Additionally, there is a relatively old hearth that is most commonly used for an altar.
The Kane Manor Inn hosts various events at their property, namely Valentine’s weekend, cocktail hours at their bar and outdoors on the veranda in the summer, plus different types of packages during the winter time. Facilities on the premises can be rented by visitors for weddings, reunions, birthday parties, and class reunions. Debra, one of the owners, believes that some people want to host their events at the inn because they are drawn to the fall foliage. “There is no better place on earth to see fall foliage than in our backyard,” says the owner. Concerning the nearby attractions, a number of tourists frequently visit the following: the Kinzua Bridge State Parl, a 19th-century bridge that extends into the valley that is now utilized as a skywalk, Allegheny Reservoir, Zippo Lighters, Zippo Museum, and a historical museum of the town of Kane that features elements from the Civil War. There are also various restaurants in the area that the owners often recommend to their patrons, three of which include Table 105, a farm-to-table bistro; Twisted Vine, which is a winery; and The Westline Inn.
Debra remarks that their goal, as owners, is to provide a place for guests where they can come and feel like “this is their house for the time they are staying here.” They focus on striving to create a welcoming atmosphere. One former guest left a review of the inn saying, “Beautiful place with a lot of history which the owners have highlighted well. Ben was friendly and welcoming. Sadly we didn’t meet Deb. This property is loved by its owners who continue to make changes that will surely return it to its original splendor.” To aid in creating this environment, the owners greet patrons upon arrival, show them where the common areas are, and give recommendations for local attractions, some of which were previously mentioned. Overall, Debra says they tend to interact with visitors fairly often, whether by giving a report of the history of the house or during breakfast time.
When staying at the Kane Manor Inn, the owners ask guests to follow certain policies, such as abiding by the established quiet time starting at 10:00 p.m. Smoking is not permitted in the house but can be done outside in designated areas. Guests are also not allowed access to the basement or the commercial kitchen for food safety reasons. Pets are welcome to stay in the guest house across the street but are not allowed in the main house. There are no age restrictions for those who are hoping to stay at the Kane Manor Inn; however, Debra reports that their clientele is typically middle-aged couples and older individuals on a "driving vacation." She observes that they also receive a relatively high amount of repeat guests. The inn is open year-round and is typically busiest in the summer and fall months.
The owners describe their business as a “hidden gem,” which they consider to be one of the unique things about their property. Furthermore, they say that most people don’t realize the inn is there unless they “stumble upon us,” remarks Debra. Locally, the business is known as a historic landmark due to its connection with General Thomas L. Kane, and it is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
What is now known as the Kane Manor Inn was initially constructed as a family residence in 1896. The original owner, Dr. Elizabeth Kane, was the widow of a Civil War General, Thomas Kane. During the war, Thomas fought in notable battles in the area, such as Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. Elizabeth and Thomas originally came to the area in the 1860s, becoming the founders of the town. The couple was drawn to the area by the early railroad. The generations of the Kane family inhabited the house until it was eventually sold in the 1980s.
The grandson of General Kane, Elijah, eventually came back to the area after unfortunate life events. After returning home, he decided to open the building as an inn in 1931. According to Debra, the house “may be Pennsylvania’s longest-running bed and breakfast as continually running.” The business has had other owners since, including two local investors and David Kreig, who purchased the property in 2003. During David’s ownership, he did various renovations to improve the premises. Eventually, David sold the property to the third owners since the Kane family, Debra and Ben Miller, in 2020.
The Millers have continued to run the property since acquiring it. Before becoming the owner of the inn, Debra worked as a nutrition scientist for the food industry, while Ben owned a business as a local outfitter. Eventually, the couple decided to sell their business and were led to purchase the Kane Manor Inn. Debra remarks that her favorite aspect of owning the business is being able to decorate the house, especially for holidays. She further explains that she “love[s] the fact that [she's] in a place where there are all of these outdoor activities.” Changes they have made to the building include replacing the flooring and various structural changes such as waterproofing the basement and putting in a new kitchen. The biggest changes that the owner says they have made are those that make the house “safe and sound.” Future renovations involve opening a pub in the basement.
230 Clay Street
Kane, Pennsylvania 16735
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Debra and Ben Miller
David Kreig
