Park-McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion

The Park–McCullough Historic Governor’s Mansion in North Bennington, Vt., is a 35-room Victorian “country house” set on 200 acres today, down from 700 acres at its peak.

Built in 1865 by attorney and entrepreneur Trenor Park (1823-1882), who strove to incorporate many features not seen elsewhere (such as indoor plumbing, hot water, and gas lighting), all in order to show off the wealth he had amassed. The home received an extensive renovation in 1889-1890 in order to receive President Benjamin Harrison, who came to town to dedicate the newly-completed Bennington Battle Monument.

Oh, did I mention this was just the family’s “summer retreat?”

The porch originally wrapped around the entire house, but it had fallen into disrepair and could not be saved. In this picture you can sense that something is missing. This view is to the right of the image used in the cover photo to this post.

Park’s daughter, Elia “Lizzie” Hall Park (1848-1938) married John G. McCullough, who went on to become governor of Vermont in 1902. Lizzie lived in the house until her death at age 90 and kept extensive diaries, so many details about the goings-on in the house are well-documented.

The house remained in the family until it was turned over to a non-profit organization and opened for tours. As such, everything in the house is original, and the house is one of the most complete and authentic historical homes of the period that exists today in the U.S.