Saturday, November 3, 2012

Robert Frost's Home


A few years ago my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting the home of American poet, Robert Frost, in South Shaftsbury, Vermont, where he penned "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and published two books of poems during the 1920's.

 
 
 
The grounds evoke many Frost images, such as fields, stone walls, birch trees and an English barn circa 1850.  It was here that Frost came to plant a new Garden of Eden with a thousand apple trees.  As a poet of natural beauty, wonder, and the understated, he was an all-time master.  He lived in this home with his wife and four children. 




Inside his home the exhibits featuring Frost's life and poetry make you feel as if you met him. 

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
 by Robert Frost
 
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Recently, we were able to locate Frost's grave in Old Bennington, Vermont, near the Bennington Battle Monument. 

 
One may think he was buried in a mausoleum, but as you can see a simple stone bears his name.

 
 
 His silent grave in the church yard of Old First Parish is now a place of pilgrimage for Americans who have been touched by his art - among them, me.
 
Do you like to walk through old graveyards?  I've always had a fondness for them since I was a little girl.  Our family even lived next to one and I use to wonder about the mysteries within.
 
The headstones, dried out floral arrangements, the wrought iron ... each piece means something. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you are ever in Shaftsbury I do hope you will stop to visit Robert Frost's home and enjoy a piece of history!  Have a wonderful weekend.
 
Today I am joining ...
 
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday @ Sunny Simple Life
Outdoor Wednesday @ A Southern Daydreamer
Rural Thursday @ A Rural Journal
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Friendship Friday @ Create With Joy

20 comments:

sharonssunlitmemories said...

I've always loved that poem - the end is one that stays with you forever! Beautiful photos - it looks like such an interesting and tranquil place to visit. I also like walking around old graveyards - they can be very peaceful. When I was a little girl I loved looking at all of the angels.

Chris said...

I have always loved Robert Frost. It was nice to see the pictures of his home- I have never seen them or way he was buried. I feel the same way about walking thru a cemetery. I wondered about the folks buried there and the life they might have lived. Your pictures are beautiful, Donna! Thanks for sharing them!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Robert Frost is a favorite of mine,too. It is so inspiring to see where he lived and wrote. It certainly is filled with beauty. Old graveyards are also in beautiful places with lovely old trees. I do love to read the headstones and imagine the lives once lived. Thank you for sharing with us. xx

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

What a nice post Donna. I enjoyed seeing his home and the graveyard. He had a very nice home on a beautiful piece of property. Your images at the cemetery are really great- and the autumn colors were striking. Looks like Vermont is a great place to visit!

Angella D. Crockett said...

Thank you for another fabulous post! You have made my day and touched my heart....the beautiful words of Robert Frost meant so much to me when I was growing up. To see his homestead brings back some wonderful feelings! I can't wait to see where you go next! Blessings, Angie

Terry said...

Beautiful photos and reflection.

Our Neck of the Woods said...

How neat! That poem is one of my all-time favorites :)

Poppy said...

Hi Donna,

How fitting that you decided to 'stop by my place' today, as this happens to be one of my favourite poems by Robert Frost! I so enjoyed this post, seeing his house; just as anyone would imagine it to be. Thanks for sharing!

Poppy

Athena at Minervas Garden said...

What a lovely home Robert Frost had, and I had no idea about where he was buried. That's an interesting epitaph he had!

Anonymous said...

Donna,

Thanks for coming by. Your post about Robert Frost is very interesting and the images are lovely. The things that struck me are that I was just barely 20 years old when he died and I vaguely remember news clips about him. The other thing that attracted my attention was his middle name, Lee; and I thought....any connection to Robert E. Lee. A quick search revealed that Frost was, in fact, named after Lee, though I could not find out why his father admired Lee. An interesting post.

Yael from Home Garden Diggers

Geneva said...

This is a beautiful post Donna, but that's not why I'm visiting.
I was looking at the latest edition of Artful Blogging today and saw that you were featured. I was so excited and loved reading about you and your blog. Congratulations!!! I've been so busy lately that I haven't attended to my blogging friends in a while and was sorry that I had missed your post announcing your feature! Hopefully things will slow down now and I can read your blog more often.
Congratulations again!
Blessings!
Geneva

Zinnia said...

Beautiful poem and I love to read good poetry. I also like your pictures from the cemetery. I wish you a nice day! Zinnia

Leslie's Garden said...

So wonderful to see his home, thank you for sharing your trip with us! He is my favorite poet. When I was in high school (many, MANY years ago:)I asked my Mother to get me a book of his poetry for Christmas. It's still one of my favorite treasures!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I love that house! No wonder he was so inspired to write poetry!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love Robert Frost I have a couple of his books. I can see now what inspired him. B

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Wayne W Smith said...

This would be a great place to visit.

Melanie said...

What a great group of pictures. I love anything with historical value. I do a lot of family research, so I visit a lot of cemeteries. I know some people think it is a little weird, but I not only like to "visit" my family, but also it ust seems peaceful to sit there and think!! Happy Friendship Friday!!

Melanie
melaniescrazylife.blogspot.com

Nancy said...

I love that house and I too love looking through the old cemeteries. So much history to be seen.

Katherines Corner said...

I wanted to visit Vermont for my 30th birthday, then for my 40th then for my 50th...now I guess I'm hoping for my 60th giggle. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop. Wishing you a happy weekend. xo