Gate of the Hills facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gate of the Hills
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 Location in Vermont
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| Location | Jct. of North and Royalton Hill Rds., Bethel, Vermont |
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| Area | 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) |
| Built | 1896 |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Shingle Style |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001648 |
| Added to NRHP | November 18, 1991 |
The Gate of the Hills is a special old house located in Bethel, Vermont. It was built around 1896. For many years, until 1918, it was the home of Mary E. Waller. She was a famous writer who wrote many novels and essays in the early 1900s.
This house is also a great example of a style called Dutch Colonial Revival architecture. This style likely got its ideas from buildings in the Netherlands. Because of its history and unique design, the Gate of the Hills was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This means it's an important place to protect!
Contents
What is the Gate of the Hills House Like?
The Gate of the Hills house is located at the edge of a neighborhood south of Bethel village. It sits in a small open area surrounded by woods. A curved driveway leads up to the front of the house.
Design and Structure of the House
The house has 2-1/2 stories, which means it has two full floors and a smaller half-floor, usually in the attic. It has a very strong stone foundation. The rest of the house is made of wood and covered with wooden shingles.
The roof has pointed sections called gables on the sides. The front part of the roof slopes down very far, all the way to the first floor. This creates a cozy, covered porch area. There are also three large, gabled windows sticking out from the roof on the front, called dormers. On the back of the house, the roof only goes down to the top of the second floor. It has a slight curve at the bottom, which is a common feature in Dutch Colonial style homes.
Who Lived at the Gate of the Hills?
The Gate of the Hills house was built around 1896 for Mary E. Waller and her mother. We don't know who designed or built the house.
Mary E. Waller: A Famous Writer
Mary E. Waller lived in this house until 1918. It was here that she wrote some of her most well-known books. One of her famous novels was The Wood-carver o£ 'Lympus, published in 1904. This story was actually set right in Bethel, Vermont! Even though she didn't write directly about the house itself, she sometimes wrote about the beautiful nature and surroundings of her home.
Unique Architectural Style
The Gate of the Hills house is special because it mixes two different building styles. It has parts of the American Shingle style, which uses wooden shingles on the outside. But it also has many features that hint at the Dutch Colonial Revival style, which became more popular later on. This makes it a very interesting and unique old house!
