A Historic Bennington Property
A Brief History of the Property
The original structure was built in 1783 as the residence of Reverend David Avery, the second pastor of Bennington’s Old First Church. Avery’s tenure lasted just three years before he moved further north.
The property passed to Nathaniel Brush, a local politician who fought in the Revolutionary War and served in the Vermont legislature.
Property records from the 1800s are difficult to locate, but several sources indicate the property was owned by Judge Pierpont Isham, born in 1809, who practiced law from an office on the grounds before going on to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court.
Around 1870, the property was purchased by Thomas Saxton, a wealthy merchant from Troy, New York. Saxton undertook a significant renovation, expanding the house into something close to the mansion it is today.
By 1900, it had passed to Phillip B. Jennings, son of the renowned pastor Isaac Jennings of the Old First Church, who kept it as a summer home.
Jennings also commissioned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman to design the grounds. Her signature axial garden layout, the same approach she brought to grand estates across the country, remains a defining feature of the property.
In 1910, the entire house burned to the ground, leaving only the four signature chimneys standing. Mr. Jennings commissioned New York architects Albro & Lindeberg to rebuild on the original foundation in the Georgian Revival style. That house, completed in 1916, is what stands today.
After Mr. Jennings’ passing in 1949, restaurateur Jimmy Rallis purchased the property and opened the Four Chimneys Restaurant in 1953. It became very well known, drawing guests including Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Walt Disney.
In the late 1970s, recognizing that many guests wanted to extend their evenings into a full stay, approval was given to add the first guest rooms, three on the second floor of the main house. Over the following years, guest accommodations expanded from three rooms to 11, and the property became Four Chimneys Inn.
The 1916 house still stands on West Road — four chimneys, 150-year-old stone wall, 11 acres of Vermont grounds. Still an inn: 11 individually appointed guest rooms and a hearty breakfast each morning. Over the years, Four Chimneys has also earned national recognition, including:
- Named one of the best inns in Vermont — Fodor’s
- Best Vermont Bed & Breakfast 2019 — Yankee Magazine
- #1 Top Ten Surprisingly Posh Inns of the Northeast — Huffington Post Travel
Meet Your Hosts
Kate Goble and Marc Baetens: Owners
Originally from Arizona, Kate moved to Belgium after meeting Marc in 2012. While in Belgium, Marc and Kate renovated an old farm house to start a small 5 room bed and breakfast. Looking for an opportunity to expand and relocate to the US, Marc and Kate purchased the Four Chimneys Inn in March 2022. The Vermont weather was exactly what they were looking for. Marc enjoys snowboarding in the winter, and cycling in the summertime, while Kate enjoys golf.
They live on the property with their young son, Nathan, who is an innkeeper in training. He will have no problem helping guests with directions, or if he is not too busy, talking with our guests about space (his favorite subject!).
Guests who enjoy the outdoor patio in the summertime may also be lucky enough to be greeted by our official mascot, Orange. She is a 3 year old Pomeranian who loves saying hello to anyone who is willing to give her cuddles.
We look forward to hosting you soon!
