We would like to thank the USDA Community Facilities Program and Preservation Trust of Vermont, in partnership with the 1772 Foundation, for making the preservation of one of our buildings possible. Now restored to its original beauty and equipped with updated technology systems, the historically significant Twilight House visitor center provides our visitors and staff a community hub.
The Twilight House, newly restored, this past summer 2022
The Twilight House (circa 1830) was built only a short time after Alexander Lucius Twilight and his wife arrived in Brownington. The size of the house enabled the Twilights to board Orleans County Grammar School students. They continued to board students in the home even after the Old Stone House dormitory was constructed. The Twilight House later became the property of Stanley Marsh, first caretaker of the museum, and then of his successor, Ezekiel Perry.
Purchased by the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village in 1999 from Leon and Mary Perry, the Twilight House serves as a visitor center for the museum and as the organization’s main office. It has a handicap accessible restroom. In 2010, on the footprint of the original ell, an archival vault, workroom and ramp entrance were constructed.
In the summer of 2020, the Twilight Educational Trail was developed. Its trailhead is found in the parking lot of the Twilight House. The trail honors the varied curricula taught by Mr. Twilight, especially his lessons on the natural world. It is roughly one mile long with numerous educational signs along the way. It leads up to the Prospect Hill Observatory and includes a shorter family circle.
The funding from the USDA Community Facilities Program, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, and the 1772 Foundation made exterior work on the Twilight House possible, including the repair of several damaged areas of siding, new paint and window treatments/repairs. As you can see in this before and after photo, we were able to restore unique features such as this decorative fan above the front door.
Fan decoration above the Twilight House front door, before restoration on the left and after on the right
It also allowed us to update collections storage and staff technology systems within the building. For example, we increased the monitoring capability of humidity and temperature in our archival vault.
We are grateful to our granters for helping us to ensure the longevity of this special Twilight House and for the updated space to work in and to welcome visitors! Thank you.
Our Executive Director starting a tour in front of the Twilight House
Kids in our Time Travelers’ Day Camp playing on the lawn beside the Twilight House
The Twilight House door decorated for our Historic Village Trick-or-Treat event