Name/Title
PhotoEntry/Object ID
FCC2023.92Description
A horse drawn carriage drives in from the two-story Stevens House, a hotel and boarding house located in downtown Vergennes.Photograph Details
Subject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
FerrisburghCounty
Addison CountyState/Province
VermontContext
Although significantly altered and expanded over the years, the Stevens House is the oldest structure in downtown Vergennes with the original building dating to the 1790s. Jesse Hollister bought it in 1795 and rented it to Azariah Painter, who ran Painter’s Tavern there until 1816. It was bought by two men who continued to run it as a hotel and tavern and stop for mail coaches traveling between Montreal and Boston until 1840. They put on a brick addition. The hotel gained a reputation for good food in the 1850s when Pamelia Storms, a black cook, worked there. Pamelia was rated “proverbially that best cook in the region” in a local newspaper account. She did well for herself, owning a home and another property in Vergennes. The Stevens family owned and ran the hotel into the 1870s. The veranda on the second story was added in the 1870s. Steam heat and electric lights were installed in 1915. The Stevens House is said to have hosted John Brown, the American abolitionist who was executed after trying to incite a slave rebellion at Harper’s Ferry. He reportedly stayed at the Stevens House during visits to buys supplies for a colony of former slaves in North Elba, N.Y.Collection
Fort Cassin CollectionCataloged By
Remsen, NancyInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
LabelLocation
Above photoTranscription
Stevens House, Vergennes, Vt.Dimensions
Height
3-1/4 inWidth
5-1/2 inRelationships
Related Places
Place
* Untyped Place
Ferrisburgh, Lake ChamplainCounty
Addison CountyState/Province
VermontProvenance
Notes
Photos photographed and scanned with permission from owner, Richard Alther, Ferrisburgh.Created By
Nancy RemsenCreate Date
November 12, 2023Updated By
Nancy RemsenUpdate Date
November 21, 2023