The Hartness House is located in Springfield, Vermont. The building was constructed in 1904 for former Vermont Governor James Hartness, and was later converted to serve as an inn. Epsilon’s team of historic preservation consultants worked with the owners to secure historic tax credits.
Overview
The Hartness House was constructed in 1904 as a Shingle Style mansion for former Vermont Governor James Hartness. Hartness was born in 1861 in Schenectady, New York and was an engineer, inventor, pilot, and politician. The house is a locally rare example of the Shingle style, and notably also contains an underground observatory and museum containing a Russell Porter telescope.
Converted from private residence to an inn and expanded in the mid-20th century, the Hartness House continued to serve as a hotel and wedding venue into the 21st century. Beginning in 2021, the owners undertook substantial renovations for continued hospitality uses. The project included repairs to exterior wood siding and original windows, the introduction of an accessible entrance for guests and visitors to the property, upgrades to interior finishes and guest rooms, and replacement of select building systems.
Contribution
Epsilon’s team of historic preservation consultants prepared federal rehabilitation tax credit applications and obtained approvals for this successful rehabilitation project.
Achievement
The National Register-listed Hartness House has achieved a remarkable transformation as it continues to serve as an expansive, historically rich, and unique estate destination in Vermont. The property also provides underground access to James Hartness’s equatorial turret telescope and the Hartness-Porter Museum of Amateur Telescope Making.