Montvert Hotel Photo Album
The Montvert Hotel was built in 1870 near the Mineral Springs. These historic photos of the interior and exterior of the building, the grounds and livery stable, as well as photos guests’ excursions, give a glimpse of the period when families visited spring hotels and spas at the turn of the 20th Century.
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Montvert Hotel from the VillageThis 1870 photo shows the Montvert Hotel, still under construction (before porches were built), as seen from a hill on the west side of South Street. The small building among the trees in the middle ground may be the bottling house at the mineral springs. T.G. Richardson stereo view photograph.
1870 Painting Depicts Montvert HotelThe Montvert Hotel is depicted in this detail from a much larger unsigned landscape oil painting attributed to Frank Childs. The 1870 painting may have been done on commission from the A.W. Gray family, who were instrumental in establishing the hotel. Construction was still underway with the piazza (porches) not yet built. David Wright photograph.
Montvert Hotel Main EntranceThis 1885 photo shows the main entrance to the Montvert through a grand staircase, a two-story porch, and a double doorway. Canvas awnings shade the porch and stairs and shelter guests from rain. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel South FacadeAn 1885 photograph shows the south facade of the Montvert Hotel and a bit of the lawn with recently planted trees. The circular carriage road leads back to today's Montvert Road and around the building to the hotel's service entrance at the rear. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel Rear FacadeRear service area behind the Montvert Hotel where supplies were delivered. The small addition on the left is Montvert Hotel rear facade, probably a privy. The small building in the foreground is the acetylene gas plant where gas was produced and captured in a pressurized tank for hotel illumination using chandeliers and wall sconces. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Village View from Montvert GroundsPhoto taken in 1910 from hill behind the site of the demolished Montvert Hotel shows the village of Middletown to the north. In foreground are the Help's Dormitory (left) and the laundry or possibly the icehouse (right). In the middle ground is the Montvert Bungalow, built in 1908. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel Registration DeskArriving Montvert guests would enter the hotel through the hallway past the stairs to the second floor and approach the registration desk, where they would be greeted by the well-dressed manager and the desk clerk. In this 1885 photograph, note the acetylene gas chandelier, the rack of room keys on the wall, and the spittoon on the floor. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel ParlorsThis 1885 photo shows two parlors in the Montvert Hotel. A reflection of the photographer and his camera can be seen in the mirror above the marbleized slate fireplace front. The fireplace front is now on display in the Stencil Room in the MSHS Adams House. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel Dining RoomThe Montvert Hotel dining room could seat 150 guests. Doors at the south end led to adjacent parlors. In this1885 photograph, note the ornate sideboard, the acetylene gas chandeliers and the Thonet (Viennese) bentwood chairs. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel PiazzaA man stands at the main entrance on the south side of the Montvert Hotel. Chairs are lined up for guests on the broad piazza in this 1885 brochure photo. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Porch with GuestsGuests relax on the south porch by the main entrance to the Montvert Hotel in this 1885 photo. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel Guest ExcursionWell-dressed guests rest among the boulders of the rockfall at Devil's Den in Mount Tabor, about 16 miles from Middletown. A Montvert brochure, circa 1885, included this photograph to illustrate the kind of day excursions guests could take. Other trips may have taken them to resort areas like Manchester, Clarendon Springs, or Lakes St. Catherine and Bomoseen. Dana Carpenter photopgraph.
Pergola on Montvert Hotel LawnA man and woman, unidentified, possibly staff members at the Montvert Hotel, pose in 1885 by an ornate pergola on the east lawn of the hotel with views down to the Poultney River and the mineral springs park on the west side of the stream. Dana Carpenter photograph.
Montvert Hotel BrochureThis engraved illustration from the front cover of a Montvert 1880 brochure shows the south facade of the hotel. On the lawn guests play croquet or relax on chairs. A fountain, an allee of maples, and a circular drive are depicted. A “four-in-hand” closed carriage conveys guests from the railroad station in Poultney or Rutland.
Montvert Hotel BrochureThis engraved illustration from a Montvert Hotel brochure (1880) shows the east and south facades of the hotel from the tennis courts near the Poultney River, with three well-dressed guests at play. The path from the hotel on which several guests stroll leads to a footbridge across the river and into the mineral springs park.
A Montvert Hotel MenuA Montvert Hotel menu shows the variety and sophistication of the cuisine served at the hotel in 1889, featuring several choices of meat and seafood, vegetables, fruits, desserts, and baked goods. After the hotel was purchased, c. 1881, by a New York City hotel company, experienced hotel staff including chefs and managers were brought from New York.
Montvert Hotel Laundry ReceiptThis 1900 form was apparently filled out by guests at the Montvert Hotel to account for clothing to be washed (and perhaps ironed) by the hotel laundry.
Montvert Hotel Brochure , GolfThese pages from a 1900 Montvert Hotel brochure describe sports activities available at the hotel, including golf.
Montvert Hotel Cupola ViewThis 1900 photo from a Montvert Hotel brochure shows view from the hotel cupola looking north toward the village.
Montvert Swimming PondThis 1900 photo from a Montvert Hotel brochure shows a pond used for swimming and possibly for cutting blocks of ice in winter for summer refrigeration at the hotel. The buildings in the background may be a cheese factory.
Post Card of Montvert Hotel DemolitionA real photo post card shows an image of the Montvert Hotel just before it was demolished in 1905, juxtaposed with a photo of the bare foundation two years later. Dana Carpenter photographs.
Montvert Hotel Foundation after DemolitionThis 1907 photo shows the Montvert Hotel foundation after the building was demolished. The foundation was L-shaped, roughly 100 ft. by 40 ft, on each leg. Note the large piles of lath and plaster on the ground.