Vail Mansion - Circa 1920's - Lyndon Center, Vermont

Object/Artifact

Vail Museum

Vail Mansion - Circa 1920's: This version of the image replicates the look and exposure of the original photograph in our collection. There are exposure issues and some surface damage, dust and dirt, as you can see. Of particular interest in this picture is the structure to the left of the North Tower at the center of the picture. There is a cone-shaped roof and spire on whatever this structure is. Of all the pictures of Vail Mansion our museum has, this is the only image I can recall that shows this structure on the grounds of Vail Mansion. If anyone has knowledge of this structure, please reach out to Vail Museum and let us know.

Name/Title

Vail Mansion - Circa 1920's - Lyndon Center, Vermont

Entry/Object ID

2025.001.1

Description

This item looks to be a genuine photo print from the original negative. It is printed on heavy stock paper. The original print appears to be underexposed a bit, resulting in a rather dreamlike impression. This print is panoramic in nature, measuring 11 1/2 inches wide by 5 3/4 inches high. The clarity is such that it is obvious this was a professionally shot photograph. It shows grounds and Vail Mansion from the north side looking south. The North Tower and portico are clearly visible. It is not known if this photograph was commissioned by T.N. Vail, owner of the estate, or if it was taken after his death in 1920. It is definitely of the era.

Context

This structure began as a modest farmhouse on the Bigelow property in Lyndon Center, Vermont. T.N. Vail, founding president of AT&T bought the property in 1883. Every summer, he had additions built onto the original farmhouse during the summer construction season in Vermont. He got a bit carried away. By the time T.N. Vail died in 1920, Vail Mansion had in excess of 100 rooms, a magnificent lobby, two towers, a mushroom cellar, carriage house and pony barn. The building ultimately became part of Lyndon Teachers College in 1951, which became Lyndon State College in 1961. Due to structural issues and the cost of trying to save the building, the State of Vermont decided to demolish the building in the fall of 1974. The building had been condemned a year earlier and sat unused while a final decision on its fate was decided. There were many LSC faculty/staff/student protests and an effort in the Vermont legislature to prevent the destruction of Vail Mansion, but those efforts ultimately fell short.

Cataloged By

Michael Thurston

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Linda Onsruth Toborg

Acquisition Date

2024

Notes/Remarks

Linda is a member of the MVS-Lyndon Committee