Historic Milleridge Inn Cottage Closed After Fire, Weddings And Events May Be Affected

JERICHO, NY — After a fire struck the historic Milleridge Inn in Jericho, the property will remain closed until further notice.

The Jericho Fire Department responded to 585 North Broadway on Aug. 20 after receiving a building fire call at 9:34 p.m., the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office said.

According to fire marshals, the fire was brought under control within an hour with no injuries reported. Most of the damage was to the second floor, attic, and exterior of the Inn, fire marshals said.

At the time of the fire, a manager at Baldwin's Coral House, which shares ownership with the Milleridge Inn through their parent company, the Dover Group, said the Cottage was unaffected. That has since changed.

The Cottage has been closed until further notice as well, the Dover Group confirmed. The closure may affect weddings and celebrations at the Cottage, which can hold upwards of 400 people inside and outside, according to the Inn's website. The Inn itself can hold 75 to 100 guests for an event.

An employee said Coral House is working with couples and wedding planners to explore options for weddings and events that had been scheduled at the Milleridge Inn.

Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said firefighters had to open walls and ceilings on the second floor to make sure the fire was not in any voids and was contained.

"It's an accidental electrical fire originating in an electrical box on the exterior of the building," Uttaro said. "The weather and soaking rain may have played a role. It’s a very old building, and that cedar shake usually goes up like kindling, so thankfully, it got a good soaking from the rain, which probably limited the quick spread of the fire."

The Milleridge Inn's history dates back to 1653. It began as a two-room house with a fireplace built in 1672 by Mary Willets, a Quaker settler.

Over the centuries, the Inn has been home to many travelers, witnessed wars and revolutions, and seen the growth of roads, farms, and communities around it. The extensive history of the Milleridge Inn can be found online.