Expert: David Beckett - 5/23/2010

Question
Hi David:

I believe the Van Ness Hotel and Vermont Hotel to be the same.  I have been told there was a very large staircase (possibly a spiral staircase) in the hotel when it burned.  I am trying to find the name of the carpenter who would have built the staircase.  I've been told it was a decendant of mine. I'd like to confirm this.  I can't seem to find any pictures of this staircase but do find reference to a principal stairway at the American Hotel?  Thank you

Answer
Hi Brenda -

You haven't told me what city the hotel is in, so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, I'm afraid.

The Hotel Vermont was in Burlington, just up the street from my home. It's now a nice condominium building called "Vermont House". I'm not aware of either a fire there, or a spiral staircase, but I've only been here since the Summer of 1960.

But perhaps you're referring to a different hotel?

I'd contact the State Archivist or UVM.

If you do a google search for "Vermont House" you should see a lot of images of the building. I think searching the phrase Hotel Vermont may be somewhat less satisfying because you'll get lots of travel sites ...

Of course if you'd like to see listing of units for sale in that building, I'm happy to send those too, which would give you a sense of what's happeneing there today. I'll need an email address (My email address is below).

I'm sorry - that's the best I can do. Please let me know if I can help further

David Beckett
david (at) askdavidbeckett.com