The National Park here in town (YES, we have a National Park in Vermont!) will offer FREE ADMISSION tomorrow to the 1800’s-era historic home commonly known as “The Mansion” or “The Billings Place”.
The phrase “Open House” is used a bit loosely here as this is a building filled with a vast collection of antiques, china, American landscape paintings and personal items that belonged to several generations of the Billings family and to — most recently — the Laurance and Mary French Rockefeller family who gave the property to the federal government.
So. It really is an opportunity — particularly for locals — to go up the hill and see what treasures their town (and the National Park Service) is preserving. The set-up for the afternoon event is that Park Rangers are on hand to greet you at the door (limited numbers are allowed in the home at one time) and to share with you stories about the people who lived there.
You can “wander” but not excessively. Expect to be quickly reigned-in and dispatched to the exterior if you get too close to the paintings or other priceless items. From experience, I can tell you that you will be asked to follow a general flow pattern from one room to another. That said, if you’re the type that absolutely hates guided tours, this is a BIG CHANCE to tour the home on your own. No excuses if you live in town and have never been up to “The House.”
(BTW, This is NOT the Farm Manager’s house located at the Billings Farm and Museum but the home across the street hidden behind shrubbery.))
In a bit of luck, due to the availability of one very affable local Park Ranger named Joe Herrick, the second floor will also be open. It’s a bonus. Due to limited staffing in the past, the second floor has remained closed during Open Houses. But, I ran into Joe today who said he was pleased to be able to help “interpret” during the Mansion Open House tomorrow. Say hello to him. He’s been with the park service here in Woodstock for many years and helps the new “kids” on the block to learn the ropes! He’s also just been in Woodstock many years. “Nuf said.
Do the Mansion.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 
Posted by Sandi Land on July 24, 2011 at 08:33
I find the little child sized chairs in the big sitting room to the back of the house downstairs, to be fascinating. That was how vendors would show samples of their chairs to clients or potential clients if I understand correctly. They weren’t really made purposely for children but ended up that way.
I also love the color in the master bedroom. When I think of the room all year between visits I think it is ‘of sea and sea foam’. It is ‘ocean’!
Smiles,
Sandi Rossi
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