In the mid-seventies and early eighties, when I was a child, I used to drive by this place when it was called The Looking Glass Inn. There was a spotlight on the sign that seemed focused on a hand-carved moon. It fascinated me, and I’d look for it every time we passed. As I grew older and the property changed hands and transformed, it always captured my attention. Whether I was headed to Boston, Franconia Notch, or just on a quick trip to Littleton for shopping, I’d watch for this place and take in all I could before the blasted granite walls of I-93 North pushed it from view.

Many years later, I found myself living in California, married with two boys, and traveling home to Vermont each summer for our families annual camp week. My wife, Samantha, and I would sometimes drive up the long driveway here just to look at the place. From the main road you can’t really see the front of the house, so you have to pull in. 

We were spellbound.

For nearly twenty years we played that game, imagining what might be inside, wondering about its condition, and quietly dreaming about what the future of this place could be. We plotted and we schemed, talking about how we might do it if the chance ever came.

Some time passed. We had another son and went on as people do. In 2017, we lost Samantha’s dad, Harry, after a long battle with leukemia. He was a very good friend, a great man, and a deeply respected architect. As part of his legacy, he left us with some incredible gifts.

We got on a plane and flew home to meet with an agent. As luck, timing, and coincidence would have it, the inn was for sale.

We pictured peeling wallpaper and giant, cat-sized spiders suspended from chandeliers, broken oil lamps, dusty, torn, and stained carpets (okay, there were a few). But the place was spectacular: well cared for and leaning heavily toward the side of the scale we’d hoped for. Harry’s gift had given us just enough for this one investment, with a little left over for small improvements. We pretty much made an offer on the spot. 

It was accepted. The inn was ours.

On a fateful trip home that year, I spoke with my grandmother, Lois, who lived in town. She mentioned that she would be happy to watch over the place while we took care of the renovations, saving her money and giving her the most epic place to spend what would end up being the rest of her life.

Gran was the family matriarch, our north star, and my personal savior through many awkward stages of life. She kept watch for us while we rebuilt the house, room by room during our time of need, and when we were finally ready for our time at the inn, she quietly checked out.

So now here we are in the present. A year has passed, our doors are open, and many guests have come and gone. Our son Miles and his wife Alex currently live at the inn, in an apartment between the main house and the carriage house and ballroom. Having just graduated from Vermont State University, they’re putting down roots and finding that the pace of life outside the city suits them well. Both Miles and Alex serve as inn management and keep the place running as smoothly as possible.

Next year, the original building will have been here for 175 years, and the main house, 144, having been built in 1801 and 1881 respectively. We have a lot of work and catching up to do. Our dreams are huge, and progress is steadily taking shape. Each member of our family brings a unique talent that’s helping uncover the property’s potential for the future, and we couldn’t be more excited.

We hope you decide to come and stay here. It truly is a magical place. The house, the land, and the surrounding hills have a grounding energy that’s hard to describe. The water is pumped straight from the Stiles Pond water table, fresh and clear and likely to remain that way for the next hundred years.

There’s a thirty acres wood to wander and plenty of nothing to do. Just remember, this isn’t that kind of resort. It’s a big step away from that. It’s real, it’s cozy, and it’ll send you back into the world recharged.

Shawn

Samantha 

Colin

Miles/Alex

&

Griffin