Nestled in the verdant foothills of Southern Vermont , an idyllic and stately inn stands near the banks of the Battenkill River . After following the gentle curves of Route 313 towards West Arlington , visiting vacationers will find an enchanting covered bridge that leads to a secluded valley clearing . In the midst of a wide and open field , a timeless 18th century Vermont farmhouse is surrounded by several eye-catching outbuildings , each of which possesses its own unique aesthetic flavor . Due to the fact that the inn is the former home of celebrated American illustrator Norman Rockwell , every structure on the property is imbued with an immense amount of cultural significance .
Today , the buildings that once housed Rockwell ’ s home and studio during the career-defining years that he spent in Arlington have been stylishly renovated and refurbished by their new owners , Kevin and Sue Harter . Thanks to their attentive and dedicated stewardship , the charming riverside property has been upgraded into a timeless and iconic landmark of country hospitality . Featuring seven lavish and comfortable guest rooms and suites , Rockwell ’ s Retreat is perfectly-suited to accommodate a wide range of lodging options . Guests can book a single room for an amorous escape or restful weekend getaway , or book the whole property for an exceptional countryside gathering . No matter the occasion , visitors are certain to be awestruck by the mesmerizing beauty of the local scenery , and equally delighted by the thoughtful service that the Harters provide their guest .
When the Harters first moved to the Green Mountain State several years ago , there were several key issues that they needed to address before they could bring their vision of their dream Vermont inn into reality . “ When we first acquired the property , it definitely needed some love and attention ,” notes Kevin Harter . “ We bought the place in 2019 , and the previous owners of the inn had overseen the property for twenty years before we came here . They did some wonderful things with it . They renovated the bathrooms and the kitchen , as well as several of the guest rooms . We felt that it was time for additional updates , so we started over from scratch in terms of design and décor and built it back up .”
The Harters removed the carpeting from the downstairs floor and redid the wallpaper in many of the suites . They also reoriented the flow of the first floor to turn all but one of the rooms into shared common areas where their guests could congregate . In addition , they cleared out all of the old furniture and replaced it with items from their own collection . They then purchased a series of gorgeous and distinctive antique pieces from locally-based secondhand shops ( such as Perfectpiece in Manchester ). Several notable furniture and décor highlights can be found in their elegant and inviting “ tavern ” area , which features a striking table made out of a repurposed fire bellows , and gorgeous lighting fixtures from Authentic Designs in Rupert .
By integrating tastefully-selected vintage decorative accents with state-of-the-art amenities , the Harters have managed to create a lodging experience that is equal parts rustic and modern . One might expect an inn that bears the namesake of one of America ’ s most celebrated artists to be overcrowded with excessive memorabilia and historical artifacts , but the Harters made the deliberate decision to avoid the temptation of turning the property into a destination museum .
“ We wanted to preserve the historical legacy and ambience that makes this place so special without making it all about Rockwell ,” says Kevin Harter . “ It ’ s incredibly important to honor the artistic impact of Rockwell ’ s years in Arlington , and it ’ s also crucial to ensure that our guests are able to savor the natural beauty and serenity of Vermont in their own way . We want our inn to be enjoyable for everyone who comes to visit , and also appeal to a wide range of stylistic and cultural preferences .”
In line with that philosophy , every Rockwell print and photograph that lines the walls of the inn ’ s multiple buildings is deliberately selected to enhance the ambience and atmosphere , and each suite is designed in a manner that deftly blends countrified nostalgia with modern elegance . Walking through the front entrance of the main farmhouse building , an exercise room with brand-new Peloton bikes and yoga mats lies just off of the foyer . Further down the entrance hall , Vermont-made farm-fresh maple syrups and artisan soaps are proudly displayed next to copies of Buddy Edgerton ’ s book , The Unknown Rockwell . Edgerton and his siblings frequently modeled for Rockwell during the time that he spent in Southern Vermont , and the Edgerton and Rockwell families became inextricably linked over those years . Kevin Harter recalls that he first connected with Buddy Edgerton when
STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BARNUM
DAVIDBARNUMPHOTO . COM