Our celebration of 50 years of the Institute will be held on August 23-25th at Memorial Hall in North Calais, Vermont. Please let us know before mid-July if you need help locating housing. Best options for accommodations in our local area include the following; we also hope to identify a limited number of available home-stays:
Onion River Campground: Rebuilding from the July 2023 floods and planning to be open by summer. They are offering a 10% discount available to people attending the ISE’s 50th anniversary.
Pie in the Sky Farm: Managed by Jude Sargent (ISE 1970s-’80s alumna) and Jay Moore, on the site of a 1970s-era commune of the same name. No longer a bed and breakfast, but an apartment with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, an enclosed sun-room with a hot tub, and a dedicated kitchen is available for short-term rentals.
Hollister Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast: Rooms are available in an historic 19th century farmhouse, a private cabin and an Airstream trailer.
Socks Family Farm: A diversified family farm in Cabot with camping available.
Marshfield Inn: Local independent motel, also owned and managed by local friends.
Fruitlands Bed & Breakfast: At a berry farm between Marshfield and Cabot.
Comfort Inn: In the town of Berlin, right off Exit 7 on I-89.
Capitol Plaza: A traditional hotel on State St. in downtown Montpelier. Damaged in the July 2023 flood, but expected to have reopened by this spring-summer.
Fairbanks Inn: Off Rt. I-91 in St. Johnsbury, about 40 min. from Plainfield.
The organization that operates Memorial Hall also suggests the following, some of which are closer to the site than those above. We are hoping to reserve rooms at one or more of the larger places below for 50th anniversary attendees:
Airbnb “Hidden Arrow R&R Cabin,” Woodbury
Entire cabin, tucked away in a woods setting.
4 guests, 2 bedrooms, 4 beds, 1 bath.
Airbnb house in Gospel Hollow, bottom of Kent Hill Road, Calais
Located 2.5 miles from Memorial Hall.
6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 5 beds, 1.5 baths.
Holden House–Historic Farmstead in East Calais
Located 2.4 mi from Memorial Hall, on 36 acres of a 1790s farmstead.
Chef’s kitchen. Sleeps: 12. Two-night minimum. Already reserved by the ISE. Rooms available. Contact us at social-ecology@mail.mayfirst.org to inquire.
Nelson Pond camp (aka “cottage”), Nelson Pond Road, Woodbury
Two-bedroom camp plus a pop-up camper. Dock w/ canoe. Well water. Great view. Hill to walk up to camp.
Maximum guests: 6. One- or two-night rentals.
Contact Ellen: etmaxon at gmail dot com to inquire about availability, rates, and details.
The 1858 Fitch House, located in the Kents’ Corner Historic District, Calais
Located on 160 acres, the Fitch House offers 4 bedrooms, full kitchen with dining area, living room, dining room, and 2 bathrooms.
Contact Judy Fitch Robert: jfitchrobert at gmail dot com for availability, rates, and details.
VRBO “Little House,” County Road, Calais
Small cabin with mountain & meadow views. 2 miles from Maple Corner.
Available July 1 through October 31. Three-night minimum, subject to change.
Please email littlehouseberryfarm at gmail dot com with questions or special requests.
VRBO “Secluded Calais House,” North Calais
Located less than 2 miles from Memorial Hall.
Sleeps: 18. 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, deck, hot tub, and more.
Woodbury Meadows, 1005 County Road, Woodbury
Not far from Nelson Pond, which is north of Mirror Lake/#10 Pond, this campground’s owners offer multiple camping sites for tenters and RVs at their place. Quiet family camping, but no late-night gatherings or parties. Quiet time is all the time.
