Entrepreneurship, synonymous to the Spirit of Vermont, is the connecting thread that links present day innkeepers, Anne and Ron Weber with the earliest beginnings of their family's gracious Queen Anne Victorian Inn. The Webers have been offering guests their friendly innkeeping services for a collective 26 years.

The United States National Register of Historic Places reveals the origin of this elegant Bed and Breakfast, located in the Historic District of the Village of Arlington, Vermont, as belonging to an energetic Arlington entrepreneur, Fernando West, who built and resided here in the mid 1800's.

During the 1870's, Fernando West joined his brother, Samuel in the West and Brothers Chair Factory and later turned to manufacturing brush backs.

Today, East Arlington Road is a quiet village street; this was not always the case! According to the Beers atlas of 1869, when Fernando West was a "dealer in dry goods and groceries", this home fronted on a busy stage coach road that transported folk to and from the village, the mountain road to the Kelly Stand logging camp, and the village of Stratton.

A testimony to this by-gone era still remains at the front edge of the inn's sweeping lawn, where a large marble stone, used for stepping up onto the stage coaches, still resides.

From 1891 until about 1920, the West home was the rectory for Saint Columban's Roman Catholic Church; in the early 1940's, when the village school was lost to a devasting fire, this building once again served the community, as the temporary school house.

Meanwhile, tourism was quietly joining agriculture as a way of life during the summer months in Arlington. Trains carrying "summer folk" seeking the mountain air and scenic beauty of Bennington County's North Shire arrived from New York city. "Tourists Accommodated" signs were becoming a familiar sight.

Today, Stratton, Bromley, Okemo and other Southern Vermont ski resorts have made Arlington a Four Season Destination.

In 1993, the most recent chapter in the history of the Fernando West House began, when two generations of the Weber family lovingly restored their historic home.

Today, Country Willows Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers, Anne & Ron Weber, continue the Vermont tradition of "Tourists Accommodated" as they welcome guests to their inn, which has been thoughtfully furnished throughout in period antiques. Delicious breakfasts and comfortably appointed bed chambers, ensuite baths await the traveler, in restful surroundings.

A day's activities might include one or more selections from our "ACTIVITIES" page, visiting the Norman Rockwell Exhibition, shopping in nearby Manchester's Designer outlets or browsing in one of the best book stores in New England, dining in one of the area's cafes or restaurants, canoeing, swimming or fly fishing in the Batten Kill.

Winter offerings include alpine and cross country skiing, ice skating and sleigh rides!

Country Willows continues its support of the Vermont Fresh Network! Many of you have asked about the significance of the "Vermont Fresh" sign at our inn entrance. As part of our on-going commitment to preserving Vermont's rural identity and lifestyle, we are proud to be one of the original members of this statewide organization of partnerships between Vermont Farmers and Chefs. Vermont Fresh Network is dedicated to keeping Vermont farms working and our green spaces open, by supporting local farmers and food producers. We offer you our concept of cuisine tourism through the wholesomeness, nutritional value, freshness and safety of Vermont grown foods. Visit the Vermont Fresh Network website.