Rentals

High Acres Farm is a meeting place for families — offering its beautifully restored eight-bedroom farmhouse for a limited number of private weekly rentals each year.

The Main House

High Acres Farm was established in 1948 by Electra Havemeyer Webb as a home for her son, Harry Webb, his wife, Kate Prentice Jennings, and their children. The historic Main House was completed in 1952.

The house was renovated and modernized in 2017 by Electra’s great-grandchildren, who wanted to share this special place with others.

Today, the Main House is a beautiful contemporary gathering place with eight private bedrooms, a state-of-the-art farmhouse kitchen, a yoga loft, and common rooms filled with artworks and objects that have traveled through our family for generations.

Amenities include:

  • 9,000+ square feet of usable space
  • 7 private bedroom suites
  • 8th bedroom with shared bath
  • 3 king beds, 3 queen beds, 4 twin beds
  • 2 ADA-compliant bathrooms & 1 ADA-accessible bedroom
  • State of the art farmhouse kitchen
  • 8-burner Blue Star commercial range
  • 10-foot farmhouse table made from the fabled Vermont Elm
  • Central heat & air conditioning via Nest
  • Haiku ceiling fans in living room & bedrooms
  • High-speed Internet & WiFi via Comcast cable
  • 2 media rooms with Comcast XFinity cable TV
  • 2 fireplaces & 1 wood stove by Jøtul
  • Lighting by Conant & Hubbarton Forge
  • Grand piano by Steinway & Sons (circa 1901)
  • Sound machines & blackout shades in all bedrooms
  • Game cellar with pool, ping pong & air hockey
  • Children’s play spaces with puzzles and toys
  • 2 full-size baby cribs & 1 “Pack-n-Play”
  • 2 high chairs for babies and toddlers
  • 11 meditation mats and cushions
  • Treadmill & rowing machine
  • Screened sun porch
  • Writing room
  • Yoga loft
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Download a floor plan

The Mudroom

The friendly Mudroom has floors of local slate, a wooden boot bench, a set of coat hooks, a large coat closet, an umbrella rack, a mirror, and two wooden tables for placing keys and groceries. A childhood portrait of Kate Webb Harris greets visitors as they enter the hallway.

The Foyer

The formal Foyer features an elegant curving staircase original to the house, a 1901 Steinway & Sons grand piano that belonged to Electra Havemeyer Webb, a rustic early American chest of drawers, and a hand-carved antique eagle mirror.

The Farmhouse Kitchen

The sparkling Farmhouse Kitchen makes meal preparation a joy — with a large butcher-block island, five leather bar chairs, an 8-burner Blue Star commercial range, two fridges, a dishwasher, a pantry, and impeccably organized cupboards and drawers with everything needed to prepare and enjoy a delicious feast.

The Wood Stove Area

Just off the Farmhouse Kitchen, the Wood Stove Area is a cozy and cheerful place to convene — with a Jøtul Castine wood stove, a comfy sofa and chairs, a sturdy cherry coffee table, a set of large French doors opening onto the Patio, and lovely views of the Adirondack Mountains to the West.

The Farmhouse Table

At the heart of the Main House is our ten-foot Farmhouse Table, made from the fabled Vermont Elm, which was the oldest and largest elm in New England, having lived just a few miles south of High Acres Farm in Charlotte. Made by Vermont Tree Goods, the table provides an auspicious focal point for gatherings.

The Fireplace Area

The elegant Fireplace Area features an original hand-carved mantelpiece, flanked by two matching nooks, filled with carefully selected books. A painting of Antarctica sits above the mantel, a set of French doors opens onto the Patio, and an overhead Haiku fan provides a gentle breeze.

The Hallway

With a series of matching wooden arches, the Hallway links together the various common areas of the Main House, bringing natural sunlight into each room. It’s filled with old family books, a collection of glass paperweights, and a wall of historical photos showing five generations of family life at High Acres Farm.

The Library

The cozy wood-paneled Library, with its comfy sofa and circular wooden table, is equipped with board games, puzzles, art supplies, a media center, a fireplace, and a telescope — offering an intimate space for reading, writing, conversation, art-making, and watching television and movies.

The Yoga Loft

The bright and spacious yoga loft, with its exposed wooden rafters and contemporary lighting, offers a flexible space for movement sessions, film screenings, and theater performances — while providing a wonderful play space for kids.

The Sun Porch

The cheerful sun porch is the only room in the Main House that went unchanged in our 2017 renovations, offering a taste of the High Acres Farm past. This beloved space is simple and beautiful, especially on hot summer afternoons — or after dark, when the sounds of crickets, coyotes, and bullfrogs fill the air.

The Water Closet

Possibly the most magical room in the Main House, the Water Closet is filled with jars of crushed-up silica and small linestones used in a ritual glassmaking process — along with the vast seaglass collection gathered by Kate Webb Harris on summer evenings in the 1980s with her children.

The Books

The Main House is filled with a carefully curated collection of books, some of which have been in our family for generations — offering an invitation to learn and discover.

The Bedrooms

The Main House at High Acres Farm has eight private bedrooms, named for the eight primary compass directions.

The decor of the bedrooms is intentionally understated and simple, producing calm and peaceful environments designed to be sanctuaries for each individual guest.

Amenities include:

  • Comfortable beds with high-quality linens
  • Private bathrooms (except for the smaller North Bedroom)
  • Wooden writing tables
  • One or more comfy reading chairs
  • Antique wooden bureaus
  • Antique bedside lamps
  • Closets with extra bedding
  • Water bottles and matching glasses
  • Haiku ceiling fans
  • Sound machines and night lights
  • Window shades
  • Luggage racks
  • Hair dryers
  • Family heirloom oil paintings of flowers
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Download a floor plan

The Southwest Bedroom

With views of the Adirondack Mountains and all-day southern exposure, this spacious upstairs corner bedroom with a king bed, a writing desk, and two comfy chairs is often considered the “Primary Suite”. Its private bathroom has a view of the lake and a portrait of Beethoven.

The South Bedroom

This ADA-compliant ground floor corner bedroom has beautiful morning sunlight and all-day southern exposure, with a king bed, a writing desk, and a wing chair. Its large ADA-compliant private bathroom has a portrait of Plutarch.

The Southeast Bedroom

This upstairs corner bedroom has gorgeous morning sunlight and all-day southern exposure, with two twin beds, a writing table, and two comfy reading chairs. Its private bathroom has a view to the south and a portrait of Galileo.

The East Bedroom

This cozy upstairs bedroom has a wonderful feeling, especially in the morning when it fills up with dancing sunlight. It has a queen bed, a writing table, two lounge chairs, and a private bathroom with a portrait of Erasmus.

The Northeast Bedroom

This spacious upstairs corner bedroom has a queen bed, a writing table, a reading chair, and a large closet. Its private bathroom has views to the north and a portrait of Thomas Aquinas.

The North Bedroom

This smaller downstairs corner bedroom has a queen bed, a lounge chair, and a tall wooden bureau. It is the only bedroom without its own private bathroom, though a shared bath is just a few steps away, with a portrait of Copernicus.

The Northwest Bedroom

This upstairs corner bedroom has sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains, with a king bed, a Shaker writing desk, an antique bureau, and two comfy reading chairs. Its private bathroom has a portrait of Archimedes.

The West Bedroom

This cheerful upstairs bedroom has beautiful views of the Adirondack Mountains, with two twin beds, a writing desk, a sturdy wooden bureau, and a comfy lounge chair. Its private bathroom has a portrait of Raphael.

The Outdoors

High Acres Farm is a 176-acre homestead located within Shelburne Farms — perched along the eastern shores of Lake Champlain, looking out across the water at the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Families renting the historic Main House are welcome to explore and make use of our campus — with its gardens, forests, fields, streams, pond, and private beach on Lake Champlain. They are also welcome to explore the vast network of walking trails and farm-based activities on neighboring Shelburne Farms.

Amenities include:

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View a map of High Acres Farm (via Google)
Download our campus map (4 MB)

The Patio

Spanning the full western facade of the Main House, the Patio has a dry-laid bluestone sitting wall, a ten-foot teak table with matching benches, comfy outdoor sofas and chairs, a dinner bell, an old eagle statue, and warm and gentle lighting via three wall-mounted sconces.

The Lawns

Throughout the campus at High Acres Farm are beautifully maintained lawns — ideal for games like Bocce and Croquet, for ball sports like football and soccer, and for picnicking, napping, and reading. Over time, we plan to transition some of our lawns to be wildflower meadows, providing better habitat for bird and insect life.

The Pool

One of the oldest swimming pools in the State of Vermont, the pool at High Acres Farm offers sweeping views of the Adirondack Mountains. The pool is well equipped with diving rings, noodles, and other toys, and has a sturdy cedar fence to keep out wandering children.

The Tennis Court

The Tennis Court at High Acres Farm was newly resurfaced in 2018, and is enclosed with an old metal fence that’s covered in thick and beautiful ivy. Besides tennis, the court also provides a great play space for kids, who love to ride bicycles and other toy vehicles around its hard surface.

The Maple Table

Our twenty-foot Maple Table is made of four separate slabs (two for the table, two for its benches) from a maple tree that lived on Shelburne Farms. The slabs can be arranged on saw horses and tree stumps to make for an epic moveable feast in the landscape.

The Golf Cart

While our extensive network of walking trails is perhaps the best way to explore our 176 acres of land, for zippier transporation (especially to and from the beach) we offer a cheerful red golf cart for guests to enjoy.

The Beach

About a mile below the Main House, High Acres Farm has a private beach on Lake Champlain, filled with iconic gray and white stones, sea glass, and ample cedar driftwood for campfires.

The Dock

At the High Acres Farm Beach is a wooden boat dock, newly installed in 2018, with a dedicated private mooring ball a bit further out in the water. Ideal for hitching up boats, the Dock also makes a wonderful setting for picnics, sunbathing, quiet contemplation, and watching the sunset.

The Lake

High Acres Farm is perched along the shores of Lake Champlain, which stretches five miles across to the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The lake is a wonderful place for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating, or simply observing its presence.

The Fields

The campus at High Acres Farm has many open fields, which are filled with a network of mowed walking trails — winding through the rolling hills, the long grasses, and the ever-changing wildflowers.

The Woods

The woods at High Acres Farm mostly consist of maple, cedar, ash, and pine, with a seasonal stream that flows through the landscape, filling a small pond on its way to the lake. Local fauna include deer, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, opossoms, eagles, crows, hawks, owls, and the occasional bobcat.

The Snow

Vermont winters are long and cold (though with climate change, getting shorter and warmer each year). At High Acres Farm, the winter snows provide an opportunity to drop into the silent beauty of the landscape: inviting inner contemplation.

The Sky

The sky at High Acres Farm is constantly changing — marking the cycles of the weather, the sun, the moon, the seasons, and the years. It is nature’s original television, always available and ever surprising.

Testimonials

Families who have rented High Acres Farm often tell us that it was one of the most special and memorable weeks of their lives.

“High Acres Farm is the best kept secret in Vermont — it is a truly magical place. Each day of our vacation was filled with fun activities for the kids and grown-ups alike. The little ones enjoyed tractor rides to the Farm Barn, swimming, tennis, hiking and making pizza in the state-of-the-art cook’s kitchen. In the evening, relaxing on the back patio, watching the sun set over the lake was simply breathtaking. We feel very fortunate to have been able to enjoy everything High Acres Farm has to offer. It gave our family the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. We can’t wait to return!” — Susan
“We are six couples who take a trip together every year. Our stay at High Acres Farm was perfect. The October leaves and the views from the porch of rolling hills, Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks are outstanding. The gorgeous Main House is very comfortable with large common rooms, a spacious kitchen, every bedroom with a private bath, and great attention to detail throughout. We loved our visit.” — Michael
“Our extended family spent a week at High Acres Farm in celebration of our mother’s 90th birthday. What a wonderful week! With four generations together, the accommodations worked beautifully. The setting is stunning and the house is terrific. The wonderful thing about it was how the lovely house became a home for our special week overlooking Lake Champlain.” — Sandy
“Solace. Sanctuary. Synergistic. To describe the feeling you get when at staying at High Acres is nearly impossible. It's like putting on your favorite pair of jeans, hugging a great friend, or that first bite of your favorite food. Nothing compares. Every nook and cranny of the (enormous) house is so thoughtfully and purposefully tended to. Just driving to the property, on the grounds of Shelburne Farms, you're overwhelmed and transported to a time just a bit before now and you truly feel like you're in your own corner of the world. I was more than happy to just stay put, center, get a metric ton of work accomplished, and enjoy the feeling of being both alone, and surrounded at the same time. I hope to have the opportunity to visit High Acres again and again and, again.” — Melissa
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Local Activities

Food & Drink

  • The Inn at Shelburne Farms
    A beautiful dining experience in the old Vanderbilt family home, using ingredients freshly harvested from the farm — go early for outdoor cocktails at sunset.
    1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-8498
  • Black Sheep Bistro
    A small French bistro with a lovely atmosphere, decorated with old black and white lithographs on yellow walls, where the food and service are always just right.
    253 W Main St, Vergennes, VT
    (802) 877-9991
  • Hen of the Wood
    A contemporary dining experience in downtown Burlington, probably the most creative cuisine in town — dollar oysters at the bar each afternoon from 4pm–5pm.
    55 Cherry St, Burlington, VT
    (802) 540-0534
  • Philo Ridge Farm
    A beautiful farm store, espresso café, and gourmet restaurant with dishes made from ingredients grown on the land.
    2766 Mt Philo Rd, Charlotte, VT
    (802) 539-2977
  • Misery Loves Company
    A small and hip restaurant in downtown Winooski (the so-called “Brooklyn of Vermont”), serving adventurous comfort food — try the fried chicken.
    46 Main St, Winooski, VT
    (802) 497-3989
  • Rustic Roots
    An excellent breakfast and lunch spot in the center of Shelburne — with delicious local food and always friendly service.
    6305 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 881-8822
  • Peg and Ter's
    A cozy local bar and restaurant serving simple dishes, located right in the center of Shelburne.
    5537 Shelburne Rd. Shelburne, VT
    (802) 489-5390
  • Folino’s Wood Fired Pizza
    An excellent pizza restaurant in Shelburne, using tasty local ingredients — grab a growler of Fiddlehead IPA beer from the brewery next door.
    195 Falls Rd, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-9511
  • Tiny Thai
    A terrific Thai restaurant in downtown Winooski, serving authentic and flavorful traditional dishes with a kick — try the Crispy Duck Krapow.
    24 Main St, Winooski, VT
    (802) 655-4888
  • Archie’s Grill
    To get your fast food fix, Archie’s serves up tasty burgers, fries, milkshakes, and other savory offerings in an upbeat diner atmosphere.
    4066 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-4912
  • Revolution Kitchen
    A vegetarian and vegan restaurant in downtown Burlington, serving delicious local food in a warm atmosphere — menu constantly changing.
    9 Center St, Burlington, VT
    (802) 448-3657
  • Stone Soup
    A Burlington institution, serving soulfully prepared primarily vegetarian and vegan food since 1997, making everything from scratch.
    211 College St, Burlington, VT
    (802) 862-7616
  • Vergennes Laundry
    A French bakery and espresso bar with a perfectionist’s attention to detail, providing some of the best baked goods in the state — try the Cardamom bun.
    247 Main St, Vergennes, VT
    (802) 870-7157
  • Muddy Waters
    A beloved coffee shop in downtown Burlington, filled with driftwood, plants, old books, and college students rapt in earnest and essential conversation.
    184 Main St, Burlington, VT
    (802) 658-0466
  • Scout & Co
    A fine coffee shop with knowledgeable baristas and high-quality coffee — with two locations in Burlington, and one in Winooski.
    1 E Allen St, Winooski, VT
    (802) 497-0502
  • Dobra Tea
    A calm and peaceful tea shop with dozens of exotic varieties, each served in their own kind of vessel — try the Chai and the servers shout “Chai! Chai! Chai” as they bring it over.
    125 S Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
    (802) 951-2424
  • Village Wine and Coffee
    A coffee shop and wine store in the center of Shelburne, and one of the town’s primary meeting places, with free WiFi — ask Kevin, the owner, for suggestions on wine.
    5288 Shelburne Rd #1, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-8922
  • O’Bread Bakery
    A bakery inside the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms, making fresh bread each morning since 1977 — try the amazing Olive Ciabatta.
    352 Farm Barn Ln, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-8771
  • Cookie Love
    An ice cream stand on the side of the road, serving homemade cookies and the best “Creemees” around — try the maple coffee swirl on a summer afternoon.
    6915 Rte 7, North Ferrisburgh, VT
    (802) 425-8181
  • The Mule Bar
    A excellent bar, serving a rotating selection of Vermont’s finest beers and delicious local pub grub to match — with service that can sometimes kick like a mule.
    38 Main St, Winooski, VT
    (802) 399-2020
  • Radio Bean
    A bit of Burning Man in Burlington: a colorful cafe/bar/restaurant/music-venue where something always seems to be happening — live music every night.
    8 N Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
    (802) 660-9346
  • City Market
    A progressive co-op in downtown Burlington, selling excellent food from local producers at reasonable prices, including a fine hot bar — where the locals shop.
    82 S Winooski Ave, Burlington, VT
    (802) 861-9700
  • Shelburne Market
    A good grocery store in the center of Shelburne, selling all the essentials — try the hot deli for a quick lunch, or the coffee by donation in the back of the store.
    20 Shelburne Shopping Park, Shelburne, VT
    (802) 985-8520
  • Healthy Living
    An upscale food market on the outskirts of Burlington, eschewing the usual grocery store layout with its non-parallel aisles — as close as grocery shopping gets to foraging.
    222 Dorset St, South Burlington, VT
    (802) 863-2569