Milkwood: A Catskills Retreat for Writers and Illustrators of Children's Books
Milkwood, the soon-to-open children’s book retreat space in South Kortright, NY, feels like a dream realized. For its wife-and-husband owners, illustrator and author Sophie Blackall and Ed Schmidt, a playwright and high school English teacher, that’s exactly what it is—a dream that took a whole lot of work to come to life.
Sophie and Ed had been searching for a building where authors, illustrators, teachers, and librarians could all come together and celebrate their trade, but when they first visited this property about 4 years ago, it was in deep disrepair.
We spoke with them last summer, over delicious lemon muffins, which Sophie had baked herself (but set aside a bowl of bright, sparkly sprinkles for Ramona to spoon on when we arrived). Together, they described the first time they visited the farm:
First, Ed quoted Sophie, “She said, ‘I think this is the place.’”
Then, Sophie quoted Ed, “He said, ‘Let’s come back tomorrow, and you show me what you see.”
Milkwood: Is heaven actually a place on Earth?
Despite plenty of setbacks and construction woes, and thanks to a stellar team of carpenters, they transformed the space. Milkwood Farm, which is just a short drive from Hobart Book Village, actually feels like walking into one of Sophie’s illustrations (which you might recognize from the subway if you’re not already obsessed with her children’s books, like we are).
Wouldn’t you like to sit and sketch beside this mural of the countryside, lush with texture, hand-painted by Sophie herself?
Sophie Blackall’s hand-painted mural covers a large wall at Milkwood.
Wouldn’t it be nice to run your fingers on the border to this doorway, and maybe pass through to this huge room with its beautiful arched roof? We visited in August 2021, and it wasn’t quite set up yet, but it looks like a perfect place for a party.
Milkwood’s party/yoga room—which I believe they call the Hayloft.
We could’ve spent all day in the children’s library, but Ed was excited to show us the ceiling above it, which is also arched and painted blue.
Milkwood’s children’s book library could keep a little reader busy for days.
Love this blue arched ceiling over the Milkwood library.
Outside, this large covered patio—part of an old dairy farm—would make a very nice place to stage one of Ed’s plays on a breezy summer night.
Ramona and Archer chat with their new BFF, Ed, in open air barn on the Milkwood Farm property.
Inside, you’ll find owls, geese, pelicans, and more animal friends.
Each of the rooms, which were once used to house cows, has an animal theme and almost every object in the room adheres to the theme—including the books on the shelves. All the rooms are equipped with an antique desk for each occupant. Milkwood has 8 bedrooms and can only accommodate 10 guests at a time, so retreats here will always feel small and personal.
Milkwood’s past life as a dairy farm inspires this cow-themed bedroom.
When visitors come for a weekend retreat in the summertime, they can expect to find wildflowers on the communal table, as well as locally sourced food, served family-style.
Acres of wildflowers blanket Milkwood’s 20-acre property.
They were still setting up the bar when we visited, but I could already imagine what it would be like in the months and years to come, the air filled with stories and laughter.
The Milkwood Bar is just for retreat guests.
Milkwood will host its first retreats in June 2022. They plan to host workshop retreats as well as peer retreats for visitors to recharge and talk shop. Milkwood has more than 20 acres of land to explore, thought it might be hard to pull yourself away from this beautiful barn and from Sophie and Ed, the kindest hosts.
If you’d like to join them for their inaugural 2022 summer season, be sure to register by midnight on March 31, 2022.
Sophie Blackall and Ed Schmidt wave from Milkwood’s front door.
Milkwood Farm is located at 927 Swantak Road, South Kortright, NY, about 3 hours from NYC. Follow them on Instagram at @milkwoodny.
