n our own grounds Hartness House offers you plenty of exploring on 35 acres of meandering trails with flowing brooks, fieldstone tavern, gardens with fountains and garden pergola, a museum, antique telescope and observatory, and memorable dining in our romantic award-winning fine dining restaurant.

A nearby covered bridge

artness House is out-of-the-way enough for quiet relaxation but convenient enough so that "you can get there from here". From our central location you can visit the quaint Vermont towns of Chester, Woodstock, Bellows Falls, Weston, Grafton, Woodstock, Ludlow, Okemo, and Claremont, New Hampshire. Leaving the grounds offers more than one's imagination can conjure up - golf, fly fishing, antiquing, canoeing, sailing, hiking, bike riding, tennis, craft exhibits and artisan demonstrations, house tours and glorious country drives with incomparable views. We are also located just 3 miles from a state boat launch on the Connecticut River and the Crown Point Golf Course.

Springfield Vermont Area Attractions

Springfield boasts a number of interesting attractions within minutes of the Hartness House.

Miller Art Center

Located in Springfield, Vermont, the Miller Art Center captures many visitors with its grand architecture, spectacular art, and rich history. The estate, home to the Springfield Art and Historical Society, was built during the Civil War and extensively remodeled in 1917. The majestic mansion was donated to the Society in 1956 by the Edward Miller Family. Today, the purpose of the Miller Art Center is to provide a focus for creative and performing arts as well as literary and scientific endeavors. The Center also strives to promote an interest in the vast history of Springfield.   The Miller Art Center features a schedule of special events.

The Royal Diner

Remember when pony tails, saddle shoes and poodle skirts were in vogue during the Eisenhower years?  Do you fondly and nostalgically recall malt shops with black-and-white checkered tile floors, pink and blue neon signs and lunch counters with stools you spun around on while nursing a root beer float?

If you do, return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear, of roadside diners with Wurlitzer jukeboxes, and pink '57 T-Birds. Borrow your father's Rocket '88 Oldsmobile, head on down the highway and meet the gang at the Springfield Royal Diner. This popular, artifact-filled roadhouse serves true diner fare, meaning the food is fresh, hot, tasty, inexpensive, honestly prepared and served with a cheerful and sincere smile.

Everybody loves a diner. Why? It's comfortable, and it's affordable. It's unintimidating. It's accommodating. It's American. It's colorful. It's shiny and it's fun. The diner is a definite part of American dining history. Credit for the diner concept is given to Walter Scott of Providence, RI In 1872, he began serving prepared food from a converted horse-drawn freight wagon. His nighttime lunch wagon served mill workers who could not find anything open. Then, as now, it was mobile because its customers weren't but, unlike today's motor-driven meal trucks, it wasn't all that mobile. If it found a good corner it preferred to remain there, eventually blocking up its wheels for good, and dishing out the good food.

The Gallery at the VAULT

Springfield's pre-eminent art gallery, the Gallery at the VAULT, short for Visual Arts Using Local Talent, features established and emerging artists whose prices are still affordable.  Their selection for the gift shop is carefully selected from shows and individual studios around the state and region. They offer monthly events…lectures/workshops.  Their gift shop is making a name for itself, come see why. Greeting cards, books, decorative tiles, pins, scarves, cutting boards, wooden utensils, glass vases and bowls, pottery, & fun..... the perfect gift for your mother-in-law or your best friend..... whimsical, affordable decoration and functional objects for your home.....and fine art. Art and beauty are so important in today's world. Celebrate the spirit and joy of our talented local and regional artists and artisans. Visit us often, there are always new things to see.

Fort Number 4

Just minutes from the Hartness House, the past comes alive at the Fort at No. 4 Living History Museum.  Travel back in time to the 1740's and have an unforgettable experience in the authentically reconstructed settlement of Charlestown, New Hampshire. Tour with guides dressed as original settlers of No. 4 as they take you through the gates of our heritage. Demonstrations of hearth cooking, musket firings, military drills and much more are conducted daily.

The Fort at No. 4 recreates life of the eastern frontier during the French and Indian War Era. Within the log stockade are province houses, lean-tos, a Great Hall and watchtower. Outside the palisade walls are a working blacksmith shop and two 18th century barns. Visit our furnished province houses and special exhibits featured in the lean-to buildings. Our costumed staff will bring to life the spirit of No. 4 with the skills of the times and daily demonstrations.

Also, the center of Springfield is just a short 8 minute walk where you will also find our own movie theater, Penelopes restaurant and McKinley's lounge, The Gallery at the VAULT, and the Morningstar Cafe.