You Have to See These 2 Gorgeous Castles Found in Vermont

Among the farms and natural beauty of Vermont are a couple of European-inspired castles that add some flair to the state’s small-town charm. If you love history or the paranormal you need to see these two gorgeous castles found in Vermont. Below we introduce you to the only castles in Vermont and their long, compelling histories as well as some of the animals that call the surrounding areas home.

1. Edward Everett Estate

One of the most interesting and gorgeous castles found in Vermont is the Edward Everett Estate in historic Bennington. You can find it just over 150 miles from the St. Albans area on the northeastern side of Mount Anthony. It’s settled into the southwestern corner of the state, only 3 miles from New York and 5 miles from Massachusetts and it’s bursting with history. 

Edward Everett bought 500 acres of land to create his summer home. The property cost an estimated $2 million and was designed by the famous architect George Totten. In 1914 the expensive project was complete thanks to many workers dedicating 10 hours a day for nearly six months to its construction. Edward Everett called the property The Orchards, after the 70 thousand trees that were planted on the grounds.

The mansion is three stories tall, with a large terrace on the back. On the mansion’s first floor was a library, a gallery where balls were hosted, and a theater. The second floor contained bedrooms, and the third floor was designated as the servant’s quarters, play area, and attic. The outer balconies around the second story provide the best view of this side of Bennington. Altogether the original Edward Everett Estate had 27 rooms. On the western side, there remains a courtyard, an altar, and a cascading water fountain with stone steps.

In 1974, one of the most gorgeous castles found in Vermont became the home of St. Joseph College, later renamed Southern Vermont College. Then at the end of the 2019 school year, the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center purchased the property for over $4 million. The mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places but is not open to the public for tours.

Wildlife Around the Edward Everett Estate

Edward Everett Estate has a view of Woodford Mountain and sits across from the Bennington Valley. This beautiful landscape in Vermont is full of wildlife. It’s not uncommon to spot white-tailed deer, eastern chipmunks, or eastern gray squirrels in the area around the estate. There are also many insects, including butterflies and bees, that pollinate the trees and other plant life on the grounds. Around the estate are open fields with trails that wind through the wooded mountain area. Many of these trails are part of the Bennington Area Trail System. Here live black bears, raccoons, coyotes, and red foxes. There are also ponds and some of the remaining crab apple orchards on the property.

2. Wilson Castle

The second gorgeous castle in Vermont is the Wilson Castle in Proctor, Vermont. Construction began in 1885 and after more than seven years, the 115-acre castle with 32 rooms was complete. By 1939, the castle was purchased and resold many times until radio engineer and AM radio pioneer Herbert Lee Wilson purchased the estate for himself and his family. He opened the castle for tours in 1962 and it has remained in the family.

Five generations have called this gorgeous castle in Vermont home since the 19th century. The facade is made of English brick and marble with open proscenium arches, a towering turret, a parapet, and a balcony. There are also 84 stained-glass windows and 13 fireplaces. The inside is furnished with European and Asian antiques and museum pieces. Every room is distinct, making it perfect for the weddings hosted within the Wilson Castle. On the property, there are also cattle barns, stables, a carriage house, and a glass house surrounded by the beautiful Vermont countryside.

However, what makes this gorgeous castle in Vermont incredibly enticing are the paranormal events. They have brought visitors to the estate from all over the country to investigate. A portal in one of the upstairs rooms allegedly serves as an entry point for the wandering spirits. The familiar ghosts who stay in the castle are known to surprise and play tricks on the guests.  

Visitors can pay for a guided tour with one of the friendly tour guides through parts of the house. However, more independent visitors can take a self-guided tour after watching an informative video on the castle’s history. In addition to regular daily tours, they offer candlelight tours for visitors who hope to catch sight of the spirits living here.   

Wildlife Around the Wilson Castle

Wilson Castle is at the end of a sparsely populated rural road in Rutland County. Within the more isolated area, visitors can spot mammals such as squirrels, rabbits, and white-tailed deer. You may see common Vermont birds flying by such as the blue jay and American crow. Depending on the season, you can see deer and moose in the surrounding Rutland County area.    

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Redjar / CC BY-SA 2.0 – License / Original