The WORLD 092921

The Couture Farm in Barre Town is Transformed into
The Celebration Barn at Millstone Hill
When Pierre Couture and his sister Frankie Brassard purchased
the historic Couture/Wheeler Farm on Littlejohn Rd.
in Websterville from their siblings 12 years ago, they were not
quite sure what would become of the 200 year old barn that
the family had operated as a dairy farm since the 1930’s. “Our
first priority was to restore the brick farmhouse to it’s
original condition. My parents had modernized the interior in
, removing the fireplaces, original doors and woodwork,
and changing the oorplan considerably, a decision they later
regretted,” explains Frankie Brassard. “With the help of old
photographs, our childhood memories, and a visit to the former
Rinker farmhouse on Taplin Rd., a twin of the of the old
Wheeler home, we were able to pretty much restore the house
to its original condition.” Shortly after, they opened the home
to the public as a bed and breakfast, an expansion of the lodging
they were already offering at the Lodge at Millstone Hill
next door. Throughout this time, they watched the old barn
further deteriorate and struggled to come up with a plan that
would allow them to stabilize and restore the structure. “We
had been using the barn for storage and always kept a good
roof on it, but every year we could see the structure become
less and less stable,” added Brassard. “We realized it was just
a matter of time before we lost the barn altogether.”
Over the years, hundreds of weddings and events had been
staged at The Lodge, usually in rented tents. Five years ago,
it was decided that the old barn’s conversion into a wedding
barn and events center might be the best hope for its salvation.
“The challenge was to find a way to save the historic structure
without destroying it. Often the conversion of an old barn into
its new use, results in the loss of its architectural and historic
integrity. We were determined not to let that happen,” adds
Couture. “The plan we came up with, was to keep most of
the interior of the main barn intact and use it only for summer
events, while completely disassembling the other structures
added over the decades. We carefully preserved every piece
of salvageable lumber for reuse in the additions we planned
for the structure. The milking parlor, for example, which my
father had added to the east side of the barn in the 1940’s, was
dismantled piece by piece, and rebuilt on a new foundation, on
the same footprint, using all the original rafters and as much of
the original lumber as possible. This time, however, the roof
was raised two feet to provide additional main oor space. ll
of the new structures are insulated and heated, to allow for
year-round use. This provides us with space during the warmer
months for up to 150 people and during the colder months for
smaller events and meetings.”
fter two years spent securing the financing for the proect
and obtaining all the needed state and local permits, the project
began in earnest during the summer of 2. hile the
structures were being transformed, the duo went to work recreating
the old farmyard into an extensive pond, water works
and perennial gardens, in hope of providing a setting worthy
of the buildings they had designed. Like all projects of this
size, progress moved slower than anticipated, with unexpected
delays caused by Covid, major health problems by three of
their primary subcontractors, and the challenge of rounding
up the necessary materials needed to meet their commitment
of completing the renovation using only repurposed lumber
and building supplies whenever possible. The historic windows,
doors and hardware they installed during the renovation,
makes it nearly impossible for anyone visiting the site to
figure out ust what is original and what was added during the
last four years.
The end result is a complex of structures, which though
• • •
varied, creates a unified whole that is magical and takes full
advantage of the stunning views that the site provides. “Growing
up we thought every kid had a backyard like this,” adds
Couture. “We have come to realize that the site is really special,
with views etending to ay Peak, almost miles away.
We think the setting will be hard to beat.” Three generations
of the Couture family will be on site to answer question, at the
official opening and open house on Sunday, ctober rd from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They hope that anyone planning an upcoming
wedding, end of life celebration, shower, or family event
will stop by to see what Millstone Hill’s new Celebration Barn
has to offer.
Lost Nation Theater
Presents “Annie Oakley”
Staged Reading
Maura O’Brien stars in “Annie Oakley;”
a work-in-progress staged reading
of a new play by Jeanne Beckwith, written
especially for her. Despite her fame,
very little is really known by the public
about this strong, resilient and fascinating
woman’s life. Hear her story!
You also get to be part of the creative
process as we take steps toward
the final script to be presented as part
of LNT’s 2022 Mainstage Season. The
reading will last approximately 90 minutes, and will be followed
by a discussion session. Ask questions and give your
feedback to the playwright, actor, and artistic directors.
LNT is thrilled to “begin again” with live-in-person audiences
by going back to the company’s roots: developing original
work.
Limited in-person seating! Properly worn masks, being
fully vaccinated (with proof of vaccination) and adherence to
other Covid-safety protocols are required for in person seating.
The Sun., Oct. 3 event will also be live streamed; the recording
will be available online through Oct 11th for anyone
who can’t make it, or who is not yet comfortable gathering
indoors.
When: Saturday, October 2nd and Sunday October 3rd, 2021
Time: 7PM Saturday; 2PM Sunday
Where: Lost Nation Theater and online
Cost: Pay what you can tickets
Info: www.lostnationtheater.org
Sponsors: Capitol Copy, The City of Montpelier, National
Life Group, Vermont Mutual Insurance, Eternity, The World,
Vermont Arts Council/NEA and The Estate of Ted Richards.
Williamstown Harvest
Craft Festival
& Flea Market
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021
10am-3pm
Seaver Field, Depot Street
HAM & BEAN DINNER
put on by the Fire Department
Proceeds from the rental space
will go to the Williamstown Fire
Department and Ambulance Services
Compliments
of the
Town of
Williamstown
COVID-19 REGULATIONS
WILL BE FOLLOWED
Vermont Travelers’
Service Center
STORE • DELI
INFORMATION
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Liquor
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Other locations throughout
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Ceramic
Glass
Natural Stone
Carpet
Hardwood
Area Rugs
Granite
Countertops
889 S. Barre Rd. - Rt. 14
(802) 476-0912
www.barretile.com
Pump & Pantry
Now More
Convenient
Then Ever!!!
Full Service
Grocery, Meat
& Produce
Departments
Rt. 14, Williamstown
802 433-1038
HOME FURNISHINGS
Reclining Sofas
Lift Chairs
Rocking Chairs
Mattresses
Bedroom Sets
97 Barre-Montpelier Road
Berlin, VT | 802-479-067
Mon -Fri 10-6, Sat 10-2
Residential/Commercial
Single Ply Membrane
Standing Seam
Shingles
Williamstown, VT
Phone: 802-433-5353
burrell_roofing@myfairpoint.net
Grilled to
Greatness
STEAK HOUSE
Hosting Parties
up to 200
Open Wed.-Sat. 4pm-10pm
110 Business Center Rd.
Williamstown, Vt
September 29, 2021 The WORLD page 19