Remember the “Abandoned Vermont: Putney Schoolhouse“?
The Putney Schoolhouse, as seen in 2013. The plywood on the left covers the original bank of windows, a defining characteristic of one room schoolhouses. Click for original post.
Originally posted in 2013 with a follow-up in 2014, readers have commented and kept me (and you) informed about the project. Last month, I was traveling through Putney and thought I’d drive by to check on the schoolhouse’s progress. To my surprise, the project is complete.
Take a look at these photos, and let me know what you think. I’ll let you look before I comment.
The Putney Schoolhouse, September 2015.
View from the north, Westminster West Road.
View from the south, Westminster West Road.
Side addition. The bank of windows is lost.
New fenestration.
Hooray, right?! An old building rehabilitated. Right? Well, almost. The massing is appropriate and respectful of the original building. Even the small woodshed remains. The setting and feeling remain. BUT, what happened to the bank of windows? That is the most defining, most visible characteristic of a one-room schoolhouse. And now there are only two windows (see two photos above, and compare to the 2013 image).
What do you think? What would you do differently? Or is this a good compromise? Would you say it meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation?
And to my surprise, it’s an AirBnB rental! Check it out. While I’d like the bank of windows, I’ll admit, the inside looks beautiful.
Preservation in Pink 
Interesting article I saw in the East Bay Express while in Oakland last week. They are having to crack down on Airbnbs because they are making long term rentals into short term rentals. They may be passing a law that stipulates you must live on the premises in order to have and Airbnb.
I’ve read many articles about Airbnb lately. Apparently they are a problem in LA because it’s causing the housing shortage to be even worse due to Airbnbs taking up the long term rentals. Interesting to hear that about Oakland, too.
I fear what may have happened to any inside features like mouldings or floor grates. Sure wish folks would take a deep breath…..
Yes, those gut renovations can be difficult to stomach. I didn’t see any before photos. The listing looks nice, though it has that feel of modern-historic-renovated-generic, if you know what I mean.
Reblogged this on Heritage Emergency Response Alliance and commented:
Story about a successful repurposing an abandoed school house in Vermont.
Maybe Keene, NH can do something like this with the old No 7 School House on Summit Road?
Good idea! Do you know the owner? There is a B&B in a 1930s schoolhouse in Isle La Motte, VT. Maybe some good inspiration there.