The Road Taken/The Poet Remembered

 

     Robert Frost lived here, there...seemingly everywhere. San Francisco and Florida, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I learned of the poet's peripatetic ways from reading author Jay Parini's biography: Robert Frost - a life. This led to the revelation that several of the places that he called home were in nearby Vermont. Close and convenient to visit. And, over the course of several rewarding day trips, visit we did. As Frost writes in Directive, we went:

"Back out of all this now too much for us

     Back in a time made simple by loss..." 

     Curiously, the place to begin might be where Frost ended. The Centre Cemetery in Old Bennington, Vermont is where he is buried. The grave lies behind and downhill from the stately Old First Church. There are small signs that guide the many pilgrims who visit this site every year. Appropriately, a clump of birches shade the flat stone with the enigmatic inscription: "I had a lover's quarrel with the world." Consider picking up a copy of Phil Holland's book Robert Frost in Bennington County which has many interesting details about the grave and other nearby Frost landmarks. 

 

 

 

 

Scenes from Frost's gravesite 

     Sunday services are still held in the Old First Church and it is open for viewing afterwards. When we were there a delightful 94 year old lady was giving tours and she entertained us with stories of the church, of Frost and of Hedges Lake where she lives (we both remembered The Oasis!). I'm sorry I didn't get her name. The church and the cemetery, with its scenic view, very old stones and graceful fence will reward your exploration. Also note the gothic looking building across the street (slated for restoration) and the imposing Bennington Battle Monument a short walk up the hill.

 

 

     After leaving Old Bennington you might want to consider stopping at the Blue Benn for some great diner food (like we did) before continuing up Rt. 7 to South Shaftsbury and the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. This was his home base from 1920 to 1929, the place where he and son Carol farmed when he wasn't teaching or giving readings. At one time the farm totaled almost 90 acres with orchards and red pine plantations. Today the house and several barns sit on seven remaining acres owned by Bennington College with the rest of the land being preserved by the Fund for North Bennington.

Frost's apple trees at the Museum

     You can tour the house with its well stocked bookstore and revolving exhibits (currently Walking Project: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral by artist Judith Belzer) for a nominal fee. The grounds are free to stroll and there is a two mile trail thru former farm lands to Lake Paran which will take you past some of the apple trees Frost planted. The museum is open Thursday - Monday from 10am to 4pm and the grounds are open dawn to dusk.

The Robert Frost Trail with the Museum in Shaftsbury on the right

and North Bennington's Lake Paran to the left

     While I haven't visited them there are several other nearby Frost related spots that might be of interest. Dorthy Canfield Fisher was a friend of Frost and she helped him find the Stone House. The building needed renovation, so while that was happening the Frost family stayed in a home that Fisher owned just up the road in Arlington. True 'Frost detectives' could search out that house (The Manse) and also the 'Shingle Cottage', currently on the campus of Bennington College.  Frost rented this as a quiet retreat from hectic family/farm life.

The English Major and the Poet discussing literature

On the grounds of the Stone House Museum 

     It is also interesting to note that Frost, along with some of his kids and their friends hiked the Long Trail in August 1922. Plagued by boot troubles, Frost still managed to complete 120 miles of the rugged route while four members of the group were among the first to do all 225 miles from Massachusetts to Canada. The trail runs along the crest of the Green Mountains which are seen as an abrupt wall to the east of Shaftsbury. 

Historical photo 

Not Frost's group but the way it used to be

Dig the pack basket and those boots!

     There is one other area property that needs to be mentioned. Frost purchased the 153 acre farm he called 'The Gully' in 1928. He and his wife lived there until her death in 1938. It's not far from the Stone House Museum but is now a private residence and not open to the public. The house sits at the top of a long drive and when we stopped by the roadside a neighbor from across the street walked over to relate memories. While we were chatting several members of the Lear family (the current owners) drove up and it was fun to share Frost stories with them. 

The Gulley as it looked in Frost's time 

A more recent photo of The Gulley

(Both B&W pics from the Web)

         Following a series of personal losses, including the death of his wife Elinor in 1938, Frost found it too painful and lonely to be in Shaftsbury by himself. He had a long association with Middlebury College's Bread Loaf campus in Ripton, Vermont and when he found a 150 acre farm nearby he decided to buy it. This property with its farm house and detached cabin became his summer home for the remainder of his life.

 

     Gwenne and I were aware that Frost had connections to the Ripton area when we planned a day trip earlier this summer. Still, we didn't anticipate just how rewarding the trip would be. Ripton is located east of Middlebury on Rt. 125. As you drive thru East Middlebury look for The Waybury Inn, a favorite Frost hang-out where he had a reserved table and enjoyed a daiquiri before his meal. You can have a drink, eat dinner where he did and even stay in The Robert Frost Room. If the place looks familiar it's probably because it was used for exterior shots of the Newhart Show which aired on TV back in the '80's.

     Rt. 125 follows the Middlebury River thru a scenic gorge up into the Green Mountains. Check out the hamlet of Ripton and then continue a few miles to the Robert Frost Interpretive Trails on the right. Here you will find a mile long loop thru Forest Service lands. Frost's poems are mounted on pedestals along the path which includes a wetland boardwalk and a bridge over the South Branch stream. Stopping to read the poems turns this into a slow stroll and a surprisingly moving experience. As a bonus it is wheelchair accessible, dog friendly and can be skied in winter. 

Along the Robert Frost Trail

     A short distance further along 125 is Forest Road 396 (aka Robert Frost Road) on the left. Drive up this dirt lane to the former Homer Noble Farm where Frost spent summer and fall for the last 20+ years of his life. There is a white farmhouse where his close friends Kay and Theodore Morrison often stayed and a rustic cabin reached by a short walk up a stone wall lined, maple shaded lane. This cabin with its mountain views was Frost's retreat. While it isn't open to the public you can peek in the window to the writing chair by the fireplace where he set words to paper.

     One last not to be missed stop is the Bread Loaf campus just a short ways up Rt. 125. This stunning array of yellow and white buildings has long been a Mecca for writers with its summer School of English and August conference. Bread Loaf is what brought Frost to Ripton and he was a long time honored guest here every summer.

Frost (2nd from right) and other dignitaries at dedication of Davison Library at Bread Loaf

Davison Library at Bread Loaf

     After a busy day in Ripton we had to head home for chores. If you have more time, walking trails abound in the area and you can even hike up Robert Frost Mountain a few miles to the north. Then there are the Robert Frost Mountain Cabins, perfect for an overnight stay. Great place to chill on the porch...with a drink and a book of good poetry.  

The porch on Frost's cabin with its mountain views

(web image)