a drive to the von Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, Vermont

Back in early December (how in the world are we in the middle of January already?!?!) we decided to make the drive to the von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. You may have remembered this instagram photo of the beautiful view from the Lodge. It was not only a gorgeous day but it was a gorgeous site to revisit (since I haven't been there since I was a small child). The beautiful countryside is breathtaking with its views and is simply lovely.

From Burlington, Vermont it is about a 45 minute drive to Stowe. 

The drive itself offers gorgeous views as you see the mountains in the distance and drive through some truly quaint New England towns.

The countryside that you see as you drive is beautiful and rustic and is so pretty no matter the time of year that you choose to visit.

  
When I was a child we visited the Von Trapp Lodge shortly after my first viewing of the Sound of Music. If you haven't been to the Lodge it nestled on 2500 acres in beautiful Stowe, Vermont and it is a "unique mountain resort featuring Austrian-inspired architecture and European-style accommodations". The Lodge boasts to offer stunning mountain views and they couldn't be more right. 

As a child and as a lady who loves the Sound of Music it was interesting to see the Lodge and place where "my" beloved Von Trapp family permanently settled when they came to America.  

After leaving Europe, the von Trapp family briefly settled in Pennsylvania, before the family toured the US in the early 1940s as the "Trapp Family Singers". They eventually settled in Stowe, Vermont. The family is known to have said that the sweeping mountain views and vistas reminded them of their beloved Austria which they had left.   

In 1942 the von Trapp family purchased part of what was known as the old Gale Farm in Stowe and they named it "Cor Unum" which means "one heart". Eventually the name was changed to the von Trapp Lodge. 

 

In 1948, a year after Baron von Trapp died, the family began making additions and renovations to accommodate guests. In the same year, Pope Pius XII honored Maria with the Bene Merenti Medal for Trapp Family Austrian Relief Inc. which had aided thousands of Austrians during World War II. Two years later, after a stone chapel was built in honor of WWII soldiers, the von Trapp family began welcoming guests to a rustic, 27-room family lodge.  

The "Trapp Family Singers" final concert was held six years later in 1956, almost a decade before the Sound of Music movie premiere was released. The von Trapp family was very outspoken about their disappointment with how many things in the movie were changed (including the portrayal of their father and the escape from Austria), but since they had sold the rights to the movie there was little that they could do. Nevertheless, the beloved family became known internationally by the film and for the opening of the Cross Country Ski Center in 1968 which was the first of its kind. 

Unfortunately in late December in 1980 there was a devastating fire (the cause of which is unknown) which resulted in the "Old Lodge" to be completely burned to the ground and in 1981 construction on a new Trapp Family Lodge was started. Three short years later the first guest registered at the new Trapp Family Lodge which was a 96-room alpine lodge that was situated on 2500 acres that offered beautiful views and many new indoor and outdoor resort amenities. 

In 1987, after a short illness, Maria von Trapp died, but the lodge continues to tell the story of her and the beloved von Trapp family, with tours sharing the precious story of the family that began in Austria and came to bless us in the United States.  

I hope that this has inspired you to visit this precious town and see the historic von Trapp Lodge. Someday I hope to visit and stay at the Lodge, but even a drive, like we did to the von Trapp Lodge is worth your time! Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that y'all have a wonderful day!!