532 Temple Rd Benson, VT 05731

The extraordinary history of this old stone schoolhouse was painstakingly researched and chronicled by author and former owner of the property, Erik Barnouw in his book “The House with a Past”. During Barnouw’s quest to learn more about the building, he discovered that, built in 1826, it originally served as a church for the Mormon pioneers during their early movement west, and thereafter as a one room schoolhouse for the young town of Benson, being aptly named "The Temple Schoolhouse". Rescued from abandonment and neglect, Barnouw restored the old stone building and joined it with a well-matched addition in the 1960’s. Situated on 3.3 acres, this unique property has had many updates over years (see attached list) including 16' x 32' in-ground fiberglass pool and the additions of a matching stone-faced 2 car garage with upstairs storage and a 36’x 36’ 4 stall Morton building ready for your animals or work shop. Loved for decades as the Barnouw family's summer retreat, it’s now time for this old stone schoolhouse to start a new chapter. Whether a year round home or a weekend Vermont getaway, you’ll enjoy the privacy of being off the beaten path. Close enough to work in the Middlebury or Rutland region, or to so many of Vermont’s recreation opportunities, from fishing and boating just minutes away on Lake Champlain, to golfing or skiing at nearby Killington resort. Bring your own ideas on what the future holds for this historic home and come see where home could be!