About

Our History

The Barn at Boyds Mills is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, on the traditional lands of the Lenape Nation.

It is sustainably cared for by the family of the founders of Highlights for Children, Garry and Caroline Myers. Garry and Caroline’s farmhouse is located here, and is still operational (it’s used for lodging and gathering space at the Retreat Center).

The property is tucked in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, situated a couple of hours away from both NYC and Philadelphia.  It is rich in family and Highlights history, and it’s a wonderful place that feeds the mind, body, and creative souls of those who visit.

It’s also the current home of the Highlights Foundation.  The Highlights Foundation was founded by Garry and Caroline’s grandson Kent Brown in 1985, offering a weeklong summer workshop for children’s authors and illustrators at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.  In 2000, the Foundation started offering smaller workshops and retreats for the children’s publishing community on these grounds year round.  Over the years, they’ve built more facilities and spaces to support operations.

The Highlights Foundation still calls the Barn & Retreat Center at Boyds Mills home, but has expanded use of the grounds in order to support the organization’s goals. 

We hope you enjoy your time here!  You’ll find many references to our “Highlights” history and our roots in children’s publishing across the property.

Commitment to Sustainability

The Barn & Retreat Center at Boyds Mills is committed to our efforts in conservation and sustainability.  We’ve made several enhancements throughout the property for energy efficiency, and are currently undergoing a shift to primary solar energy.