The Wilburton Inn
Overview
The Wilburton Inn, once the largest private estate in Manchester Vermont, was the summer home of Chicago millionaire and philanthropist James Wilbur. At the turn of the twentieth century, Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s son, and his friend, Chicago businessman Albert Gilbert, created two vast neighboring estates. Gilbert situated his mansion on the crest of a hill with spectacular views of the mountains and the Battenkill Valley below. His architect blended an English Tudor style with the new modernism promoted by Frank Lloyd Wright. Wilbur bought the 400-acre property in 1906 and named it Wilburton Hall. The original 1902 mansion is complemented by villas built as homes for the sporting families who developed the estate as an elegant, exclusive club in the 1950’s.
Georgette Wasserstein Levis and Dr. Albert Levis purchased the Inn in 1987 from RKO General Tire and transformed it into a 25-acre historic boutique hotel, with modern luxury. The main rooms of the inn are furnished with antiques and oriental carpets. Many rooms feature high four-poster beds and fireplaces. Dr. Levis was born in Greece and is a retired psychiatrist whose sculpture and art collection graces the gardens of the estate. Georgette is the sister of Wall Street legend Bruce Wasserstein and Pulitzer Prize winner playwright Wendy Wasserstein. Georgette and her sisters are part of the best-seller book Sisters. Their son Oliver Levis, a graduate of Cornell’s Agriculture School, has revived the Wilburton’s original status as a gentleman’s farm. Once again, the hillsides and meadows are blooming with flowers, organic greens, and heirloom vegetables.
Located in the National Historic district of Manchester Village, the Wilburton offers fine dining, marvelous views, pool, tennis, nature walks and nearby ski mountains, golf, biking and designer outlet shopping. The views from the Wilburton, over the valley and toward the surrounding mountains, are among the finest in Vermont.
Gangsters, celebrities, politicians, society, and even royalty have mixed at the Inn.
Original Property Opened: 1902
Contact Information:
Street Address:
River Road
Manchester Village, VT 05254
Historic Hotels of America toll-free reservations number (800) 678-8946
Turn of the Century, 1896 ~ 1913
The Wilburton Inn, once the largest private estate in Manchester Vermont, was the summer home of Chicago millionaire and philanthropist James Wilbur. At the turn of the twentieth century, Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s son, and his friend, Chicago businessman Albert Gilbert, created two vast neighboring estates.
