Our Story
Hi! We are Brian and Joanna, a husband and wife duo and the founders of Ferncrest!
We met in 2007 and shortly after started United By Blue, a sustainable brand of apparel and accessories. After growing UBB for 10 years (all while also having 3 kids together) we bought an old motel in the tranquil town of Promised Land and moved there as a family with the goal to fix it up.
The risk paid off, and The Rex Hotel quickly became one of the most beautiful and sought-after lodging options in the Pocono Mountains area. And although we had no hospitality experience, the process of opening The Rex Hotel reinforced our love for creating unique outdoor experiences.
So in 2022 we bought a rundown campground 5 mins down the road from our hotel and have reimagined what a modern camping experience should be like. We are proud and excited to introduce you to Promised Land and our newest project: Ferncrest.
About The Campground
We cannot tell the story of Ferncrest without mentioning the Wilson Family.
In the late 1700’s, settlers moved to the area of Promised Land to work the land. Land parcels were granted by the State of Pennsylvania for lumbering with the anticipation the area would thrive and prosper. Unfortunately as time went on the lands were poorly managed and the costs to maintain the land were outweighing the returns. Many land owners were struggling to stay afloat and started selling their parcels to anyone who would be willing to settle to the area, including Edgar and Mary Wilson.
The Wilsons saw nothing but beauty in Promised Land with its lush forests and abundant wildlife. In the early 1900’s, as owners continued to try and sell their land, the State decided to purchase back some of the acreage and form what would become Promised Land State Park. Edgar Wilson was selected to be caretaker of lands for the State and would become the first Park Ranger for Promised Land State Park.
In 1966, Edgar’s grandson recognized that many folks wanting to spend more time in the area didn’t have a place to stay to enjoy all the natural beauty. As such, he developed Wilson’s campground as an opportunity for visitors to experience the tranquil outdoors of Promised Land.
When we happened to stumble upon the campground, we were intrigued. When we learned about the history of the campground, we were determined.
We saw what Edgar and Mary originally saw; a beautiful area of land that needed to be respectfully enjoyed. So we reached out to the owners to see if they would be willing to sell the land… and the rest is just beginning.