An American Architectural Treasure

Originally constructed in 1808, 4 Bond Street stands in a prominent but discrete location in the center of the picturesque village of Woodstock, Vermont. Distinguished on many levels, the property presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for its next owner.

The homestead of four generations of the Billings family, 4 Bond Street has nurtured and launched a Governor and a Chief Justice of the Green Mountain State. The history of the family, and its place in the annals of our brave little state, is reflected in the timeless character of the ancestral residence. Purchased by Franklin Noble Billings in 1860’s, the property has not been offered for sale in 160 years. The local legacy of the family and its commitment to conservation and the environment can be found at the nearby Billings Farm and Museum and the Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Park, organizations that champion historic preservation, land conservation, rural life and the importance of our agricultural history.

Set on over one and a quarter acres with frontage on Bond, Central and Pleasant Streets, as well as over 150 feet of frontage on the Kedron Brook, the property is unique for its setting and size. A large open back lawn leads to the rushing waters of brook and the outdoor spaces enjoy a sense of privacy and spaciousness that is rare for any village property.

The classic first-period brick Federal-style home was modified and expanded over the last two centuries but still retains its original historic character through the preservation of its defining architectural materials, design, adornments, and room proportions.  Sensitive additions include stacked two-story bay windows that create light-filled rooms. A formal entry on Bond Street welcomes guests into a gracious hall that leads to the first-floor office, the original 19th century “work from home” space, and an expansive, formal double living room. Clear ash floors, waxed to show their extraordinary beauty and durability over the last 200 years, grace the interior. Period millwork including crown molding, chair rails, built-in cabinetry and bookshelves can be found throughout. (Franklin Noble Billings and his brother Frederick Billings shared many of the same local craftsmen when, in the 1860s, they respectively renovated 4 Bond Street and the Mansion, Frederick’s home that is now the Marsh, Billings, Rockefeller National Historical Park. In the two houses, many of the interior doors, floors, and moldings are identical.) Outside, an expansive covered porch wraps its way along the entire length of the west side and north end of the house and once provided shade to the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge.

A formal dining room which includes a fireplace, a spacious gallery hallway, breakfast room, two half baths, pantry and kitchen complete the first floor. Seven bedrooms, four baths and various additional rooms complete the second and third floors. A detached three-car barn/garage sits at a pleasant distance from the main house.

This extraordinary, legacy property embodies the history of Vermont and of our country, and stands as a testament to the forward-thinking leaders of the time that helped shape it. Unique in its place in history as well as its location in the physical world, 4 Bond Street is a opportunity to take stewardship of a significant historical asset, as well as the good fortune to make an extraordinary home in the heart of one of America’s most beautiful places.