In 1907, Albert Farr and Alice Parkhurst commissioned George Perkins, a renowned Chicago Architect, to design and build a 10,000 square foot summer home in the town of Mr. Farr’s birth, Brandon, Vermont.  Sparing no expense and using the latest in technological innovations, the home was completed in 1909.  The uniquely shaped house, three wings built around a specimen Elm tree, was completed for an original cost of $75,000.00.

Upon completion, Brandon’s finest citizens were brought to the “Arches” for a grand party.  Over 700 citizens were escorted throughout the house, dining on soup and sandwiches in the dining room, followed by ice cream to the music of a full orchestra in the courtyard.

 Mr. Albert Farr’s vast fortune was self-made by creating the Harris Banking Trust in Chicago with his partner, Albert Harris.   Mrs. Alice Parkhurst Farr and Mr. Farr both had documented lineage to Massachusetts Bay; hence, Mrs. Farr’s active participation in the Daughter’s of the Revolutionary War (DAR).  As the only daughter to the Farr fortune, Miss Shirley Farr inherited the home six years after completion.

 Miss Farr was noted for her philanthropy, donating to the town a library and sewage treatment facility.  Branbury State Beach at Lake Dunmore was donated to the state.  Miss Farr was an active State Legislator, involved in the rehabilitation of war victims and a concerned partner in town politics and activities. 

In 1950, Mrs. Farr’s cousins inherited the home: Margaret, Dorothy, Catharine and Alberta.  Margaret, “Marnie” Flowers, was a famed opera singer who decorated her suite in shades of purple.  Dorothy and Catharine, “Dor” and “Cam,” graduated from Mount Holyoke and made their fortune as owners of McClellan’s bookstore in Ohio.  Forever inseparable, they spent one year working and then traveled to over 200 countries throughout their lives.

During the early 70’s, great cousins inherited the building.  Deciding that the home was a “great white elephant,” they sold the belongings and personal effects at a giant tag sale with the sale of the house to Mr. And Mrs. Tracy. 

In 1980, the home was converted into a board and care retirement home.  In 1985, it was renovated into the Arches Country Inn.  Michael, a general contractor, and Melanie, a trained architect and interior designer, purchased the home in 1991 and spent the next year and a half renovating to capture the feeling of it’s original grandeur.  In the Spring of 2001, the current innkeepers, Shelly and Doug Sawyer purchased the inn.

In the tradition of a stately home custom built for grand entertainment, The Sawyer's have updated the "Arches" to make the The Lilac Inn a leading destination for romantic getaways and weddings.  The inn was recently selected as one of the leading 100 best U.S. wedding destinations by Kathryn Gabriel Loving.

 Be sure to check our Romantic Vermont Getaway Packages and Vermont Wedding Packages.