A Historic Vermont Home: The Barn, Gardens, and a Little Mystery
Over the past several Sundays, we’ve explored the remarkable restoration of Sarah’s historic Vermont home, from its cozy keeping room and inviting parlor to the beautifully renovated bathroom, staircase, bedroom, and office. Today, we’re stepping outside for the final installment of this historic home tour.
And there’s still plenty to discover! Sarah has created a charming, screened barn using salvaged materials, thoughtfully tended the surrounding landscape, and preserved the quiet beauty of this wooded property. There’s even a story about a possible friendly spirit who may still be keeping an eye on the house. Keep reading to see the charming interior of the screened barn.
A Screened Barn That Looks Like It’s Always Been There
One of the most charming additions to Sarah’s property is a small, screened barn nestled among the trees. Although it’s a relatively new structure, Sarah designed it to look as though it had been standing there for generations.
She positioned the barn where she believes the property’s original barn may once have stood. Rather than using all new materials, she sourced old hand-hewn beams from the area, found an antique tin roof, and discovered a vintage cupola on Facebook Marketplace.
Just as she did with the interior of the house, Sarah began with a vision of what she wanted to create. Her hand-drawn sketch shows the barn’s simple proportions, rustic doors, and the screened openings that would eventually make it such a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors.
The historic Vermont home’s older outbuilding provides a glimpse of the rustic character Sarah wanted to preserve in the landscape. Her goal wasn’t to create something that looked newly built, but rather a structure that felt completely at home beside the historic house.
During construction, the old timber framing and new floor came together to form the barn’s simple structure. Large, screened openings would allow fresh air to circulate while providing an uninterrupted connection to the surrounding woods.
Looking up, you can appreciate the beauty of the old beams and weathered wood overhead. These imperfections and signs of age are exactly what give the barn its authentic character.
A Peaceful Place to Enjoy the Woods
Inside, Sarah has furnished the barn with simple vintage pieces that complement the rustic surroundings. A wooden bench, mismatched chairs, and a colorful braided rug create a comfortable sitting area without taking attention away from the beautiful woodland views.
The antique window at the back of the barn frames a grove of maple trees, almost like a living painting that changes with the seasons.
There’s even a cozy daybed for relaxing on a warm afternoon. I love how the soft textiles and fresh flowers contrast with the rough wood, giving the space a comfortable, collected-over-time feeling.
Sarah says afternoons are her favorite time to spend here. As the sun begins to set, golden light filters through the woods and fills the barn with a warm glow.
The screened sides make it possible to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature without being bothered by insects. Sarah often sits watching the birds, including a red hawk that lives nearby and sometimes calls while she’s outside.
It’s easy to imagine spending hours here with a good book or simply enjoying the peaceful setting.
Of course, Sarah isn’t the only one who enjoys the barn of her historic Vermont home! Her dog Zoe seems perfectly content to settle in and watch the world outside.
The Historic Vermont Home and Its Beautiful Grounds
Now let’s take another look at the house itself. This earlier photograph shows the simple brick exterior, traditional windows, and distinctive metal roof during the restoration process.
One of the things I appreciate most about Sarah’s approach is that she hasn’t tried to erase the home’s age. Instead, she’s worked to preserve the architectural details that make it special.
From the front of another “before” photo of the historic Vermont home, the modest proportions and symmetrical arrangement of windows reflect its early American roots. The two brick chimneys and steep metal roof are reminders of a time when homes were built for practicality and durability. It’s remarkable to think that this house has stood through more than two centuries of Vermont winters.
The surrounding stonework adds another layer of character to the property. Beautifully arranged stone terraces and steps follow the natural slope of the land, creating an inviting approach to the house without making the landscape feel overly formal.
I especially love this autumn photograph, with the warm brick glowing in the afternoon sunshine and golden leaves surrounding the house.
From farther away, you can see how naturally the screened barn fits into the setting. Its weathered siding and old tin roof look perfectly at home among the mature trees, while the brick house stands proudly in the background.
It’s the kind of property where the buildings and landscape seem to belong to one another.
Sarah has also incorporated rustic touches into the landscape, including this simple wooden gate set into a beautiful stone wall. The informal design feels appropriate for the age of the house, while the yellow flowers and autumn foliage add a cheerful touch.
A Connection to the Home’s Earliest Days
Perhaps one of the most meaningful reminders of the property’s history can be found among the trees. These weathered gravestones belong to Solomon and Celinda Wright, the couple who built the house around 1800.
More than two centuries later, their historic Vermont home is still standing, lovingly cared for by someone who appreciates its history and the lives that came before her.
And speaking of the people who once lived here, there’s one more story Sarah shared that seems especially fitting as we conclude our tour.
Does This Historic Vermont Home Have a Friendly Spirit?
A longtime local resident named Nancy, who has been visiting the house since she was a little girl, believes the property is haunted—but in a good way. According to Sarah, Nancy has heard similar accounts from a local realtor and a police officer. Sarah herself has never sensed a spirit in the house, although she did have one rather curious experience.
One day, she unexpectedly discovered a sachet of lavender on the staircase when no one else was around. Not knowing how it got there, she decided to speak aloud to the possible spirit.
She explained that she was doing her best to honor the house and its history, even pointing out some of the family heirlooms and treasured possessions she’d brought into the rooms to create happy memories.
There was no response, but Sarah says the house has always felt gentle, welcoming, and safe. And if there really is a friendly spirit watching over the property, she likes to think it’s pleased with the care she’s given this historic home.
A Home Where History Lives On
As we come to the end of this five-part home tour, I want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Sarah for so generously sharing her home, photographs, and restoration stories with us.
What makes this house special isn’t simply its age or the beautiful work that’s been done. It’s the thoughtfulness behind every decision, from preserving historic details to incorporating meaningful family treasures and creating a barn that feels like part of the property’s past.
Sarah has shown us that restoring an old house isn’t about making everything look new. It’s about appreciating what came before, embracing the imperfections, and finding ways to make a historic home comfortable for life today.
Solomon and Celinda Wright could hardly have imagined what their home would look like more than 200 years later. But I think they’d be pleased to know that it’s still standing, still welcoming visitors, and still creating memories.
Thank you for joining me throughout this wonderful Vermont home tour. If you missed any of the earlier installments, I hope you’ll take some time to explore the rest of Sarah’s remarkable restoration.
Learn more about this historic Vermont home.
Thank you, Jennifer, for your beautiful homage to this special house. Your observations have made me appreciate it even more.