The Brick House at Shelburne Farms is a stunning example of the Colonial Revival style, boasting forty rooms and located on the shores of Lake Champlain. This magnificent estate was once the Vermont home of Shelburne Museum Founder Electra Havemeyer Webb and her husband, James Watson Webb.
The house was originally a modest 1840 farmhouse, but was transformed into a grand estate with the help of the New York architecture firm Cross & Cross and landscape designer Ellen Biddle Shipman. The Brick House features breathtaking gardens and stunning views.
It’s funny how you can live in Vermont all your life and discover new places just about any day. As annual members of Shelburne Museum, you were entitled to a free tour of the Webb family’s “Brick House” at Shelburne Farms (not sure if that still applies today). The estate is only accessible during special events and an annual Open House.
- A New York Times Notable cookbook of 2007 A long-awaited cookbook from the beloved Shelburne Farms For the growing number of people who want to feel a stronger connection to their food, Shelburne Farms has become an inspiration
- Each year, visitors flock to Shelburne Farms for its educational programs and delicious food made from sustainable ingredients as well as for its incredible landscape
- Now, readers everywhere can experience the spirit, wonderful flavors, and authentic cooking inspired by this very special place
- Cooking with Shelburne Farms is a celebration of food from the land
- With one hundred recipes featuring ten basic Vermont ingredients—milk and cheese, maple syrup, early season greens, lamb, mushrooms, game, fish, pork, root cellar vegetables, and apples—the dishes deliver rustic flavors with a fresh, comfortable, country-style cooking approach
The grounds are spectacular and so is the view of Lake Champlain. The tree lined driveway is wonderful, as you would expect from a family where money was not an issue. The house itself is a brick colonial with a large addition to the back. This is the kind of place where you could really kick back and live in grand style.
A review of the Brick House Tour
The tour guide was a nice guy who really seemed to enjoy his work. However, there were two ladies who seemed a bit uptight whenever my wife or I took photos and video. One of them asked me when I was taking a short video if I had “permission to be doing that”. Not seeing any signs or notification to the contrary, we weren’t sure.
If you like to explore on your own and take photos, etc. this may not be a tour you will enjoy. If you’re the kind of person who would rather explore on your own, take photos and video, etc., Robert Lincoln’s (the son of Abraham Lincoln) Hildene Mansion in Manchester would be a better choice. The caretaker there was very hospitable and much more “tourist friendly” so you have much more freedom to roam the grounds at Hildene at your own leisure.
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