Stepping outside after weeks of touring interior rooms, home restorations often reveal how much care went into the surrounding land. For one historic property in Vermont, the final installment of this five-part home tour uncovers a custom-built screened barn, careful stone landscaping, and a lingering local legend.
The property centers around a brick structure originally built around 1800 by Solomon and Celinda Wright. Over two centuries later, the home retains its early American roots, featuring steep metal roofing, dual brick chimneys, and symmetrical window placements. Rather than modernizing the exterior away, Sarah focused on preserving these historic details while updating the grounds.
Building a Screened Barn From Salvaged Materials
One of the most notable additions to the acreage is a small, screened barn nestled among mature trees. Positioned where the property’s original barn may once have stood, the structure was built to look as though it had been standing there for generations.
Construction relied heavily on reclaimed elements gathered from the region. Sarah utilized local hand-hewn beams for the timber framing, sourced an antique tin roof, and found a vintage cupola through Facebook Marketplace. Large screened openings allow fresh air to circulate while keeping insects out.
Inside, the barn features a rustic aesthetic accented by a wooden bench, mismatched chairs, a colorful braided rug, and a daybed positioned near an antique window facing a grove of maple trees.
Preserving Historic Grounds and Stonework
Beyond the new outbuilding, the surrounding landscape embraces the property’s age through informal stonework and natural terracing. Stone steps and retaining walls follow the slope of the land, complemented by autumn foliage and a simple wooden gate.
Tucked among the trees near the perimeter are the weathered gravestones of Solomon and Celinda Wright, serving as a direct link to the home’s earliest occupants. The preservation of these markers underscores an approach focused on honoring the lives that preceded the current owner.
Local Lore and the Curious Sachet
The property’s long history has also fostered local folklore. According to Sarah, a longtime resident named Nancy—who visited the house since she was a little girl—believes the home is gently haunted, a sentiment reportedly echoed by a local realtor and a police officer.
While Sarah has never experienced a direct presence, she recalled one unusual incident involving a sachet of lavender unexpectedly discovered on the staircase when no one else was around. In response, she spoke aloud to the space, expressing her intention to honor the home’s history and care for its legacy. She reports that the residence has always felt gentle, welcoming, and safe.
