Furnished Apartments at the
Mt. Philo Inn
Charlotte,  Vermont  

Spacious, private, high quality apts. with historic charm, spectacular views and flexible leases. Weekly rentals available. The Mt. Philo Inn was built in 1896, and was a country Inn until 1966. It is currently a family business owned and operated by Jane and Dave Garbose since 1990. The Garbose's and their son Leo live at the Inn, and are able to attend to any issues immediately.  The photo on the top-left was taken in the late 1950's, and was on a postcard promotion. The Garbose's have worked hard to restore the Inn to the way it looked in it's heyday, maintaining its hardwood floors, complex molding, and vast gardens.


Frank Lewis had crafted a small house nearby.
He was persuaded by travelers of the need of an Inn in
the area. Many folks using Lake Champlain as a travel route
would disembark on Thompson's Point, just a couple miles
away.
The Inn and accompanying buildings were solidly built
for the purpose of housing vacation travelers.
For 70 years the The Mt. Philo Inn was a well known and well healed vacation resort, with proper dinners,
and a combination of eccentric housing including
tents, cabins and rooms at the inn. A staff of 25 attended to guest needs.
During the 1960's the rapid spread of cheap motels reduced business,
and after two generations the Lewis family sold.

For 20 years the Inn was owned by a variety of folks, who unsuccessfully tried to maintain the Inn and restaurant business. 

View from mountain road before the last series of turns.
                       

This photo, from 1898, shows the road up Mt. Philo, much as it is today.

The view from 1958, courtesy of CardCow.com

The Inn in the early 1960's

Living Theatre
During the 1970's a lively period began when the Inn
was purchased by a collective and was a successful commune
attracting intellectuals and politicians.
The world renowned eclectic theatre group The Living Theatre  lived at the Mt. Philo Inn for 9 months around the summer of 1974.
Here they were inspired to create the political production The Money Tower,
which was then produced at the Mellon Institute in Pittsburg.
This photo was taken at the north entrance of the Inn.
and available thanks to Tom Walker, archivist for the Living Theatre.
He identifies from left to right:
Echnaton, gypsy (on ground) Julian Beck, Tom Walker,
Judith Malina, and young Michael Shari.
Please visit this still-vibrant company at
www.livingtheatre.org 
http://www.buildthelivinghtheater.org www.thelivingtheatreworkshops.com

The Inn remained in the Lewis family until the 1960's.



Mt. Philo Road, as a dirt road, heading north from the Hollow Road
in North Ferrisburgh.