We Are Delighted to Welcome You to the Willoughvale Inn and Hope

Welcome! We are delighted to welcome you to the WilloughVale Inn and hope your stay with us is very special! This guide has been prepared by our staff to enhance your visit to Lake Willoughby and the Northeast Kingdom. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Inn’s amenities and the area’s wide array of year-round activities and attractions. It is our mission to provide you with all the information and assistance necessary to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The WilloughVale Staff Table of Contents History of the WilloughVale Inn ................................................................ 1 Telephone Instructions ................................................................................ 3 Inn Telephone Directory ............................................................................. 4 Guest Services at the Inn ............................................................................. 5 Television Directory ..................................................................................... 8 DVD Rentals ................................................................................................. 9 Retail Items for Sale ....................................................................................10 Area Information ........................................................................................11 Driving Distances .......................................................................................14 Local Attractions ........................................................................................15 Summer Activities ......................................................................................18 Winter Activities .........................................................................................21 Dining at the Inn ........................................................................................23 WilloughVale Inn Menu ............................................................................24 Other Dining Recommendations .............................................................26 The Green Mountain Inn...........................................................................28 History of the Willoughvale Inn The WilloughVale Farm WilloughVale Cabins and Restaurant Over a century ago, much of Vermont was farm- In 1933, Charles A. (“Doc”) Harter and Lee E. Emerson land. At that time, the WilloughVale Inn was known acquired the property, which had by then become the “Wil- as the WilloughVale Farm. Owned by Dr. Wells of loughVale Inn Cabins and Restaurant.” The Harter family Orleans, who made a specialty of furnishing farm at the time owned much of the property at the north end of products to cottage residents, the farm was run by the lake, including what is today The North Beach and once George Conley and his wife. what was known as the Songadeewin, a highly renowned girl’s In 1909, before he would achieve poetic immor- camp. The family owned and operated the Inn and Restau- tality, the “road less traveled” brought the Ameri- rant for the next few decades, expanding and upgrading the can Poet Robert Frost and his family to a tent-site property. In the late 1970’s, the Safka family from New Jersey on the WilloughVale Farm. Like so many others bought and operated the property for nearly a decade, until a over the years, locals and visitors alike, Frost was couple from Connecticut, the Symcaks, purchased the prop- inspired by Lake Willoughby. His idyll, “A Servant erty. The Symcaks demolished the remaining structure and to Servants,” from his published book, North of built a replica of the former Inn mirroring the footprints left Boston, describes both Willoughby Lake and life by previous owners. In addition to the ornate construction on the WilloughVale Farm in his unforgettable of the replica Inn, the Symcaks added a large basement, a union of pastoral and philosophical poetry. The gazebo, and rebuilt the four lakefront cottages. The Willough- main character in the poem is a composite of three Vale Inn boasted a 120-seat restaurant, eight country Inn women, one of which was the hard working Mrs. rooms, and four lakeside cottages. Conley. With a touch of understanding about the inherent uncertainty of the hospitality industry, and at the same time evidence of this long tradition here at the WilloughVale, Frost writes... ..Your going and coming. And you like it here? I can see how you might. But I don’t know! It would be different if more people came, for then there would be business. As it is, the cottages Len built, sometimes we rent them sometimes we don’t. We’ve a good piece of shore that ought to be worth something, and may yet. But I don’t count on it as much as Len... 1 History of the Willoughvale Inn (continued) A New Era by’s most renowned tavern owner from days gone by, the As a visitor to Lake Willoughby (with an appreci- WilloughVale renamed its restaurant Gil’s Bar and Grill in the ation for the area’s pastoral qualities and exceptional spring of 2011 to honor Peter Gilman who established Lake outdoor recreational opportunities), David Gamer- Willoughby’s first tavern – aptly named Gilman’s Tavern - in off fell in love with the property. the mid 1800’s. The Gameroff Trust acquired the property in Gilman was something of an institution in the Westmore 1996, the very same owners who operate the largely area. Known for his willingness to always do a good turn for successful Green Mountain Inn in Stowe, Vermont. his town, Gilman taught school and held various town offices The Trust renovated and upgraded the building, over the years. He was instrumental in getting what is now VT readying the WilloughVale for its reopening and Rt. 5A built around the lake, ultimately going broke using his return to its long tradition in hospitality. own money to get the job completed. In the summer of 2001, the large dining room Gilman’s Tavern, open year round, provided hearty fare for was downsized to accommodate the construction of teamsters, loggers, fishing parties and summer vacationers two luxury suites, the Governor Aiken and Gazebo, alike for well over 50 years. After his death in 1872, Gilman’s offering the ultimate in elegance and luxury. In wife, son Edward and grandson Harry continued to operate addition, all rooms, suites and cottages have satellite the tavern. Mrs. Gilman’s fine 40 cent dinners were the stuff of televisions, DVD players and telephones. An Inn local lore and the family was known for dispensing “bountiful dock was put in for summertime use, and amenities hospitality and being congenial hosts.” With a reputation as including kayaks, bicycles, canoes, and snowshoes one of the finest cooks in the state, Mrs. Gilman reportedly are added every year. served a staggering 1518 meals during the month of June in In 2010 we enhanced the Waterfront Activity 1893 alone. The tavern was sold in 1917 to Charles Foster who Area adding kayaks, canoes and a firepit. A Game remodeled the tavern and renamed it the New Willoughby Room was built in the Main Inn offering Air Hock- House. ey, Pool Table, Wii Nintendo and Ping Pong. If you are interested in more history about the Willough- In 2011, the popular Robert Frost lakefront Vale Inn or Lake Willoughby, Willoughby Lake, cottage underwent a major renovation with a new Legends and Legacies, kitchen and dining area layout - complete with by Harriet Fischer, is available for sale at the Reception Desk. granite countertops, washer, dryer and dishwasher. Central air-conditioning and two flat screen televisions completed the renovation. The Robert Frost, Angler, Birches and Pisgah cottages, along with the Main Inn, were freshened up with new paint colors. The Birches and Pisgah lakefront cottages underwent a major renovation with a new kitchen, living room and dining area layout created to provide the utmost in modern conveniences and relaxation while enjoying a beautiful lake view. New living room, kitchen and dining furnishings have been added, along with two flat screen televisions, central air-conditioning and an oversized Jacuzzi in the remodeled bathroom. With a respectful nod to one of Lake Willough- 2 Telephone Instructions Local Calls Dial 9 + Number Calls to the following towns are local: Albany, Barton, Burke, Craftsbury, Derby, Derby Line, Island Pond, Morgan, Lyndonville, Newark, Newport, Orleans and Troy. A local telephone directory is available in your room. Long Distance The Vermont Area Code is (802) US & Canada Compliments of the Inn Credit Card, Collect 9 + 0 for operator Directory Assistance 9 + 411 Fax Guests may receive facsimiles. There is $1.00 per page for incoming. The Inn’s fax number is (802) 525-4514. The Reception Desk will contact you if we receive a fax. Messages Outside callers can reach you through the Reception Desk during business hours by calling (802) 525-4123. The call will be transferred to your room. If you are not in, we will take a message for you and post it to your room door. The WilloughVale uses an answering machine for calls received after hours. Computer Access A computer with complimentary Internet access is available for guests in the Library. Wireless Internet access is also available in the Main Inn and Cottages. 3 Inn Telephone Directory Reception Desk ........................................................................................................... 0 To call another room or cottage just dial the room extension listed below. Room #1 WESTMORE ..............................................................................................................101

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