Archive for the ‘Historic Property’ Category

We would like to announce that David Beach of our Commercial Real Estate division is now also an Auctioneer/Realtor.  We will be experimenting with our first Auction on a magnificent historic Bennington home on November 22, 2009 at 1:00 pm.  The difference in our auction will be an attempt to present a home that has a very motivated seller who will do everything possible to sell before winter sets in but this is definitely NOT A DISTRESSED SALE and the owner will have the option to refuse all offers.

Just last Sunday we hosted an Open House/Auction Preview and despite the grey and gloomy day here in Bennington, we lit every light in the house, threw open the doors and set an all time record attendance for any open house that we have had in the forty year history of Hoisington Realty.

Sure, there were curious lookers who have always admired this home as well as a few interested buyers, too….it was a wonderful opportunity to renew contacts with old customers and clients and to meet several new people.

We are still finding our that properties in our upper price ranges are challenged and thought we would try this new marketing plan…Stay tuned and please come for the Auction and see a wonderful property located at 210 Elm Street, Bennington, Vermont. This property has already been reduced from $595,000 and is now listed for $395,000.  Click here for additional information about this property.

For some of us, the opportunity to be the owner and caretaker of an historic property is exciting and irresistible.  Add to that the idea of taking something and giving it new life through a new use and we’re hooked!  Such an opportunity presents itself in the former Harwood Hill School House of Bennington that we currently have listed for sale.  Built in 1829, this brick one-room school house was in use until 1960 when it was purchased by Stanley and Marguerite Burnham and converted to their home.

Harwood Hill School was a one room school house for first through eighth grade.  From the late 1930’s through the mid 1940’s there were between fifteen and twenty students enrolled, mostly from nearby Bennington farms.  The school was heated by a coal stove in the back of the room and there were two outhouses, one for boys and one for girls.  A hand operated pump in front of the building provided water.

The property is now a charming two bedroom, one bath home with hardwood floors, exposed beams and a fireplace.

Those of us who live in New England and specifically here in southwestern Vermont are very fortunate to have the opportunity to be stewards of historic properties, some that date back to the very birth of our nation.  These properties include grand manses that were once homes to prominent families as well as more modest farm houses and even former school houses.  The school houses have a special charm of their own, each with its own story.  Hoisington Realty currently has the privilege of listing four such former school houses from Bennington to Arlington.

The original Arlington Schoolhouse, built in 1798 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places is now a sweet, 2 bedroom home on a half acre lot on School Street close by the Battenkill River and a short walk into the village.  First used as a chapel next to St. James Church on Main Street while the stone church was being constructed it was then moved to the corner of Main and Water Street where it served as the village school until 1875 when it was once again moved and used as a Grange Hall.  During the first quarter of the 20th century it was moved to its current site on School Street where it was used as a blacksmith’s shop then a paint shop before finally becoming a residence in 1940.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the historic school house listings we have here in southwestern Vermont!

Over the years, I have been privileged to have ben the listing agent for several of Old Bennington’s historic homes including the Jedediah Dewey home (the first minister at Old Bennington’s First Congregational Church), the Governor Robinson manse the Govenor Tichenor residence.  I have also been involved in the sale and listing of both Robert Frost properties in Shaftsbury and many, many other prominent and non-prominent historic properties, all of which have been amazingly sound and historically preserved.  It is a joy to work on these properties from the 18th and early 19th century and to share our knowledge of them with new buyers.

Bennington’s Victorian homes are truly splendid, although many of them were built not far from the industry of their original owneres and as time has progressed, have become a part of our business district.  You will see some of these fine homes now converted to law offices, professional buildings, convalescent centers and Bed & Breakfast use. If built a little later in the 20th century, they may still be in use as residences although they may be situated on a surprisingly small lot for the size of the home.  They remain very popular.  The Arts & Crafts cottages are easily spotted in our fist settled village residential areas and they offer tremendous character and solidly built frames.  They add grace and history to our oldest residential streets.

I could go on and on about the summer homes in Old Bennington built at the turn of the century, including “The Priory” that belonged to Mary Sanford on Monument Circle.  I sold this property in 2001 and the new owners have lovingly restored the entire 3-story home along with returning the gardens to their original splendour – they are spectacular!

Every single historic home has a story; why wouldn’t I love to represent these properties and their very special buyers and sellers?

There are many such fine homes listed in the Bennington area. For more information click here.

I have learned over the years that people who buy historic homes, especially in Bennington and Southern Vermont, are a special breed of people. They are undaunted by sanding, painting and restoring to original luster all of the special appointments of their historic home and they see in their mind’s eye the restored and lasting results.  Even those buyers fortunate enough to purchase a fully restored (not renovated-restored) property have a noble gleam in their eyes that says “Yes, we will be responsible for this historic Vermont treasure as it is irreplaceable and we will care for it and honor it as part of our heritage.”

I have come to see that the Bennington area with its rich history has produced an amazing array of period homes from Center Hall Colonials with original fireplaces and wide board floors to magnificent Victorian homes for the Barons of local industry, to the era of Arts and Craft Bungalows in the 1920’s. I love them all and it is exciting to list historic Vermont homes, market them and help in the transfer of ownership.

I treat all of these properties with special care and attention. They are irreplaceable and I am careful to research the history of the ownership as well as the authentic details of the property.  Most of our historic properties come with freshly prepared floor plans, a history of the original ownership and the description of authentic historic details. It’s part of my education but also an attempt to spread the knowledge of what makes these types of properties so interesting. I employ professional help for my research.

In a stunning location in one of the most beautiful parts of Vermont nestles a property that literally takes your breath away.  On 59.6 acres with beautiful views, this home retains many of its original historic features while offering the convenience of new custom kitchen and baths.  The living room retains its original Dutch oven fireplace with marble hearth, soapstone firebox and original mantle.  The garden room perfect for entertaining, includes a stone fireplace with copper chimney hood and indoor grill, butler’s sink with cherry cabinetry, a wall of windows looking onto westerly views and radiant heat under a slate floor.  The garden room opens onto the magnificent indoor pool room with exposed beamed, cathedral ceiling and fireplace is heated for year round enjoyment. 

In addition to the main house, there is the original 2-story barn with children’s bathroom and exposed beams, ready to be converted to a guest house.  Additional outbuildings include a pole barn used as a 3-bay garage that is connected to the original 2-bay garage which is now used as a workshop. 

View further information and take advantage of the dramatic Virtual Tour:

Click here for more details.

And don’t leave without looking at other available properties in the area!