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Granville and Aurora Spaulding House // 1838

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The Stone Village of Chester, Vermont, is said to be the largest collection of stone buildings in the state. Built around 1838, Granville and Aurora Spaulding House is one of a few dozen “snecked ashlar” buildings in the region, where rubblestone is laid up with mortar using small long stones called “snecks” to tie an outer and an inner wall together. The construction method is said to have been brought to the area by masons from Scotland and Ireland which is known there as ‘Celtic Bond’. Oral tradition state that Scottish masons from Canada introduced the technique to local masons while erecting a mill in nearby Cavendish in 1832. Local Chester resident, Dr. Ptolemy Edson became such a fan of the building that in 1834, he had his home, the first stone building in Chester, built in this method. He then would influence the rest of the North Village of Chester, where many of his neighbors, as well as the church and schoolhouse, built their structures in snecked ashlar. The Spaulding House is unique in that the main entrance does not face the street, as it fades the south east (side) facade. The couple married in 1839 and moved into this recently completed house to raise their family and work their farm. Like many other early stone houses built nearby in the 1830s, the Spaulding house blends Federal and Greek Revival motifs from the gable end facing the street and eaves returning to serve as a pediment as a nod to the emerging Greek Revival style, while retaining an arched entry off the street which echoes Federal period taste. 

Stone Village Schoolhouse // 1835

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Across the street from the Gideon Lee House in the Stone Village of Chester, Vermont, this historic schoolhouse is one of the oldest in the state and one of the few extant schoolhouses built in stone in New England. The Stone Village Schoolhouse is a rare example of a snecked ashlar building, where the construction method is said to have been brought to the area by masons from Scotland and Ireland which is known there as ‘Celtic Bond’. Oral tradition state that Scottish masons from Canada introduced the technique to local masons while erecting a mill in nearby Cavendish in 1832. Local Chester resident, Dr. Ptolemy Edson became such a fan of the building that in 1834, he had his home, the first stone building in Chester, built in this method. He then would influence the rest of the North Village of Chester, where many of his neighbors, as well as the church and schoolhouse, built their structures in snecked ashlar. Completed in 1835, the schoolhouse is a single-story rectangular plan building with the end gables forming a high pitched roof with a bell cupola over the facade’s gable. The snecked ashlar siding appears only on the first floor with traditional wood clapboard siding in the gable above. Built as School No. 3 for Chester, the building converted to residential use in the 20th century, but still maintains its important materiality and the iconic school bell, allowing passersby to understand its original purpose.

Stone Village Unitarian Church // 1845

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The Stone Village of Chester, Vermont, is said to be the largest collection of stone buildings in the state, and is anchored by its largest building, the Unitarian Church. Built in 1845, the Unitarian Universalist Church is one of a few dozen “snecked ashlar” buildings in the region, where rubblestone is laid up with mortar using small long stones called “snecks” to tie an outer and an inner wall together. The construction method is said to have been brought to the area by masons from Scotland and Ireland which is known there as ‘Celtic Bond’. Oral tradition state that Scottish masons from Canada introduced the technique to local masons while erecting a mill in nearby Cavendish in 1832. Local Chester resident, Dr. Ptolemy Edson became such a fan of the building that in 1834, he had his home, the first stone building in Chester, built in this method. Dr. Edson served on the building committee for the new village church, and likely pushed for a cohesive material and construction method for this church and other buildings soon after. The Stone Village Unitarian Church blends Greek Revival and Gothic Revival styles in a more vernacular way, typical in many rural Vermont communities. The building exhibits stained glass windows that were added sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century.

Dr. Ptolemy Edson House // 1834

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The Stone Village of Chester, Vermont, is said to be the largest collection of stone buildings in the state. Built in 1834, the Dr. Ptolemy Edson House is one of a few dozen “snecked ashlar” buildings in the region, where rubblestone is laid up with mortar using small long stones called “snecks” to tie an outer and an inner wall together. The construction method is said to have been brought to the area by masons from Scotland and Ireland which is known there as ‘Celtic Bond’. Oral tradition state that Scottish masons from Canada introduced the technique to local masons while erecting a mill in nearby Cavendish in 1832. Local Chester resident, Dr. Ptolemy Edson became such a fan of the building that in 1834, he had his home, the first stone building in Chester, built in this method. He then would influence the rest of the North Village of Chester, where many of his neighbors, as well as the church and schoolhouse, built their structures in snecked ashlar. Designed in the Federal style, the Edson House is a vernacular, five-bay, two-story residence with central entrance and arched fanlight transom over the front door.

Yosemite Engine House // 1879

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The Yosemite Engine House on Route 103 in Chester, Vermont, is a unique and iconic architectural landmark that has stood for almost 150 years. Chester’s second fire district was established in 1871, following a number of large fires in the village, prompting funding from businessmen and the town for a new engine house. Built in 1879, the Yosemite Engine house was built as a fire station for the village defined by its rectangular massing, first-floor engine hall, second-floor meeting hall, and twin bell and hose-drying towers that are capped by mansard roofs. The station originally housed horse-drawn and human-operated fire engines until the 1920s, when the doors were enlarged for the first engine-powered fire truck. The fire district, a separate taxing entity from the town since its creation, was dissolved in 1967, and its properties, including this iconic fire station, reverted to the town. It was eventually sold into private hands, and was operated for a short time as a museum by the local historical society before being reacquired by the town in 2018. The building is awaiting a full restoration.



Chester Public Tomb and Hearse House // 1850

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Near the entrance to the Brookside Cemetery in the charming village of Chester, Vermont, these two very different looking buildings were constructed for one purpose, death. Before the proliferation of funeral homes and cremation, infrastructure for the dead was a necessary piece of the built environment for towns and cities all over the region. The wood-frame building seen here was built as a hearse house, which would shelter the horse-drawn hearse for the town. Prior to the advent to funeral homes, most wakes were held at the home of the deceased, after-which, the body would be transported by the horse-drawn hearse to the cemetery for burial. This was followed by a memorial service at the nearby church. If the ground was frozen or if the family did not yet have the funds to bury their family member, the body would be held in the public tomb until the burial. The Chester Public Tomb dates to 1850 and was built by local mason, Arvin Earle from stone  quarried near Gassetts, a hamlet in the north part of Chester that was shipped to Chester Depot by the newly completed railroad. While no longer in use, these two vernacular buildings hold a very important history of the town and have been lovingly preserved by local residents. 

Whiting Library // 1891

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The Whiting Library in Chester, Vermont, was designed by architect George H. Guernsey, and is said to be the only building in the village designed by a regionally significant architect. For the design, Guernsey created an eclectic library blending Romanesque and Queen Anne influences that strikingly enhance the library’s relatively modest physical stature. The building was named to honor Chester physician, Laurin G. Whiting and his wife, Abigail, who donated funds for the land and building. The polychromatic brick and granite building features unique gables, corner tower, and arched openings, which were carried over to a lesser scale into an addition a few decades ago.

Chester Masonic Temple // 1907

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Built in 1907, this handsome building on Main Street in Chester, Vermont, has long been the home to the Olive Branch Lodge 64 of the Freemasons, an international fraternal organization. Colonial Revival in style, the building features corner pilasters that support a denticulated entablature along the eaves of the slate hip roof. A projecting portico over the front entrance is supported by classical Ionic columns. The 1920s marked a heyday for Freemasonry, especially in the United States. By 1930, over 12% of the adult male population of the United States were members of the fraternity. Following the Great Depression and WWII, membership sharply declined in fraternal organizations, like the Masonic Temple. A number of years ago, the Lodge here moved to a new building in a nearby town, and a local law firm purchased the building and spent 18 months renovating the building for use. Today, the historic character and even symbology remain on the building, while it houses a local business. 

Rowell’s Inn // 1826

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An outstanding example of a two-story, brick Federal style house with a five bay, front gable elevation, Rowell’s Inn of Andover, Vermont, is arguably the most famous landmark in town. The inn was constructed in 1826 by Edward L. Simons, for whom Simonsville, the area village, is named. Mr. Simons operated the building as a stagecoach inn and tavern for those traveling along major highways through the state. The building was also the home to the local post office, with Mr. Simons serving as the first postmaster. The inn, which had been in operation almost continuously since 1826, was purchased in 1910 by Frederick Rowell, hence the name, Rowell’s Inn. It is not clear when the distinctive wooden porch was added, which includes two-story full-length porches with a third-story porch set within a broad elliptical arch set in a flush-board pediment. The historic porch was altered years ago before it was purchased by the present owners, who renamed the building, The Inn Between, continuing its legacy as a stop for weary travelers.

West Dummerston Covered Bridge // 1872

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Oh covered bridges, one of the many symbols of New England that always give me joy when I see them! This beauty was constructed in 1872 to span the West River in Dummerston, Vermont and is the longest that is wholly within the State of Vermont. The bridge was designed by Caleb B. Lamson, a master carpenter and the bridge is the only known bridge built by Lamson that survives. Vermont is significant for covered bridges as about one hundred bridges still stand in the state, which is probably the greatest concentration by area of covered bridges in the nation. A reason we have to thank Vermont for this is purely population. With more people living in the state, transportation demands change, and these bridges are often replaced with modern steel structures. Keep doing you Vermont!