On April 8, 2024 at 3:20p the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont will be cast in the shadow of a Total Solar Eclipse. The last time any part of Vermont experienced this was 1932, and it won’t happen again for over 50 years!
To mark this special occasion, the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village is auctioning the opportunity to stay in the Samuel Read Hall House—a Federal Style home built in 1831. Spend the weekend of April 6-9 in a gorgeous country setting, far away from light pollution, with your most special family and friends and observe this history-in-the-making, once-in-a lifetime solar event!
The auction is hosted by GiveButter. You will be taken to their site for bidding. In case of technical difficulties, or if participants are unable to use the online platform, please contact us for assistance in placing your bids.
About the Special Eclipse Getaway Package
The winner of this fundraising auction will be supporting the museum with their donation!
April 6-9, 2024 | 4-Day/ 3-Nights at the Museum
Samuel Read Hall House
10 guests | 4 bedrooms with 5 beds | 2 baths | Pets Allowed
Considered “one of the most loved homes on Airbnb, according to guests” this architectural treasure is nestled among 60 green rolling acres in Vermont’s fabled Northeast Kingdom, near beautiful Lake Willoughby.
Lovingly restored by Vermont Preservation Trust, a gracious parlor floor with 4 sitting rooms leads upstairs to bedrooms fitted with modern comforts like top-line mattresses, all-cotton sheets, lovely quilts and cozy duvets. Wonderful antique furnishings evoke the region’s storied past as a refuge of rebels and idealists, independents and adventurers, and tough, honest, tolerant folk.
The kitchen and two bathrooms (one with a claw foot tub and the other with a shower) were remodelled to include modern conveniences while holding onto their antique charm.
For more details about Amenities and Accommodations please visit our Airbnb Listing
Guest access
The whole house is yours! Self check-in with keypad. You are also entitled to free access to the museum grounds and hiking trails, leading up to Prospect Hill Observatory, where a wooden tower offers a stunning view of the countryside and sky.
Bidding Closes March 15 @ 11:45pm
Payment via Bank Transfer or Certified Check, preferred. To be coordinated with the winner. Please see terms and conditions.
We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your donations are tax-deductible.
~ Our Mission ~
We believe that history matters, that it has the power to ignite imagination, provoke conversation, and build a dynamic cultural hub for our community. We bring to life the history of Orleans County in ways that invite exploration, spark connection, and build meaning.
What to Expect During a Total Solar Eclipse
You must be in the path of totality to experience the full effect of the Total Solar Eclipse!
“A black hole appears in the sky where the Sun should be, like a celestial eye gazing back at you. The world around you is now in deep twilight—dark enough to reveal planets and the brightest stars above, with glorious sunset colors all around the horizon. As your eyes adapt to this surreal darkness, the Sun’s atmosphere—the corona—becomes visible. Silvery, wispy, and ethereal, it seductively surrounds the eclipsed Sun. Crimson-hued prominences can also be seen leaping from the edge of the now-hidden Sun.
The world seems to be suspended in time, as you are lost in your own little rapture. … It is a strangely comforting and empowering insight, like you finally figured out what life is all about, and that your life matters. …
No other event in my life has had such a positive and powerful impact, igniting a passion that will burn for a lifetime.“
– Dr Kate Russo (author, Psychologist, and Eclipse Chaser)
OLD STONE HOUSE MUSEUM & HISTORIC VILLAGE celebrates the stories and achievements of visionary Alexander Twilight, as well as others who shaped our region’s past and those who will influence its future. Located on 60 beautiful acres in rural Brownington, VT, our village includes a range of historic buildings and outdoor spaces where we host events and classes that bring to life the unique history and culture of the American experience in 19th century Orleans County.
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- WE PRESERVE seven buildings and sixty acres of historic significance, all relating to the life and legacy of Alexander Twilight, as well as ~75,000 artifacts related to the local heritage of Orleans County. Alexander Twilight was a remarkably accomplished native-born Black man, a man of many firsts, including first Black state legislator in Vermont.
- WE SHARE the history of our area, the stories of the people who helped shape it, and their remarkable achievements with 10,000+ annual visitors.
- WE INSPIRE families and individuals of all ages through a diverse offering of public events, educational programs, and opportunities for building community.
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This Fundraising Auction for the Total Solar Eclipse is an unique opportunity to experience a momentous celestial event in a historically significant location while also making a positive impact on the local community!
Not to mention the view from Prospect Hill will be one of the best around!
History of the House
The 1831 Federal-style Hall House stands as a testament to Samuel Reed Hall, a recognized pioneer in progressive education. Hall founded America’s first teacher training college in 1823 in Concord, Vermont, invented the chalkboard, and published the first teacher-training textbook in 1829. Hall lived in the home from 1856-1877. In 2005 the home became part of the museum’s historic village after being purchased from the Herrick Family.
About the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village was established by the Orleans County Historical Society and has been operating as a museum since 1925. It has grown from one building to an impressive historic site with seven restored buildings and three neighboring structures, all dating from the early 1800s.
Education has long been a cornerstone of activity in Brownington, Vermont. Through unique educational programs the museum embraces hands-on, experiential learning as a way of connecting individuals to a way of life that still has much to teach us.
Terms & Conditions
- Eligibility: The auction is open to individuals who are legal residents of the United States and/or Canada, and are at least 18 years old.
- Bidding Process: The auction is hosted by a third party fundraising platform, GiveButter. In case of technical difficulties or if participants are unable to use the online platform, they may contact The Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village for assistance in placing their bids.
- Winner Notification: The winning bidder will be notified through GiveButter using the contact information provided during the registration process. The winner must confirm acceptance of the prize within 7 days directly with the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village. Auction closes Mar 15, 2024 at 11:45pm.
- Payment Method: Will be coordinated with the winner after the close of the auction, but must be made to the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village through direct bank transfer or certified check methods within 10 business days from confirmation of acceptance of the prize. Note: GiveButter allows for payment processing through their platform, but they only accept credit cards for auction payments at this time. Credit card processing fees will apply.
- Prize Description: The winner will receive exclusive access to a short-term rental property (known as the ‘Samuel Hall Read House’) for the weekend of April 6-9, 2024 (a 4-day, 3-night stay). The property is located within the path of totality of the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.
- Prize Conditions: The winner must adhere to all terms and conditions set by the property owner, including any rules or restrictions on the use of the property. The winner is responsible for any additional expenses incurred during their stay, such as transportation, meals, and amenities not explicitly included in the prize description.
- Transferability: The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternative.
- Unclaimed Prize/ Unresponsive Winner: If the winning bidder does not confirm receipt of prize within 7 days of the close of auction, and/ or payment is not received within 10 business days after that confirmation, then the prize will be offered to the next highest bidder.
- Liability: The Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village and its affiliates shall not be held responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to the winner or their property while participating in the rental property or related to the auction event. The winner assumes all liability and agrees to release and indemnify the nonprofit organization from any claims arising from their participation.
- Privacy: By participating in the auction, bidders consent to the use of their personal information for the purpose of administering the auction. Personal information will not be shared by the museum with third parties, except as necessary to fulfill the prize.
- Changes and Cancellations: The Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village reserves the right to modify or cancel the auction or prize in the event of unforeseen circumstances or factors beyond their control. In such cases, the organization will make reasonable efforts to notify all affected participants.