Inn at Shelburne Farms

We stayed at the Inn at Shelburne Farms, about 20 minutes from Burlington. Since first walking in the door, I've been trying to figure out how to come back with Tomcat. The history of this place is fantastic and the current state of affairs is also commendable.

I highly encourage you to read anything on Lila Vanderbilt Webb and her husband William. Their home at Shelburne Farms was elegant yet intimate, and the property is an example of prolific landscape design achievement. They have a fascinating love story and an even more impressive story of environmental stewardship.

The 3,800 acres were divided into separate rooms, and S-curve roads, which allowed arriving guests to enjoy cows in a meadow (referred to as the girls), then enter a shady forest full of birdsong, curve around the final S and suddenly be faced with the most modern and impressive home of the time! An arresting sight today, it must have been indescribable after traveling by train and carriage all day in a corset and hoop skirt.

The most brilliant aspect of this home is that it was so different than other wealthy homes of the early 1900s. With the Queen Anne style, it remains unpretentious; it's warm and inviting, with practical rooms to include an enormous 3rd floor playroom. Guests were free to explore any vacant room, but our room had 2 wrought iron twin beds, a double bed and a pull-out. Each bed had an extra fluffy down comforter and everyone but Grandma had at least one soak in the claw-foot tub!

Lila wanted this house to feel lived in and she wanted it to blend in with the beautiful environment; there isn't a dome, a pillar or a drop of gold anywhere. It exudes warmth and makes you want to wrap up in quilts and lounge around in front of one of the many fireplaces (or outdoor heated porch overlooking Lake Champlain). I guess you actually can do that when your house is run by servants and your kids are managed by tutors!