Bailey's Mills Bed & Breakfast Reading, Vermont (10 miles south of Woodstock) Escape to our historic country home in a quiet peaceful setting, now a 'Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State'. | Contact the Innkeepers | Introduction | Guest Rooms/Rates | Library - Parlor - Garden Room - Porch | Breakfast and Refreshments | What Guests Say About Bailey's Mills | The Grounds & The Neighborhood | Fruit Cake TV Show | Pets Welcome | Our Favorite Recipes | Attractions | How to Find Us |

Bailey's Mills Road threads through a narrow valley settled in the late 18th century. A strong sense of history intensifies as you pass the quaint town cemetery and then the driveway curves gently past the long, long sleep of area residents. Bailey's Mills looks very southern with a two-story porch and fluted columns. But this patrician facade belies its commercial origins that were tied to the economic fortunes of the community that blossomed here 200 years ago.

In 1794, Levi Bailey (1766-1850) purchased a dam and a mill here. The following years brought some prosperity and expansions. By 1808, he required the good will of David Hapgood, his next door neighbor, so he could buy more land. But, in fact, Levi had so irritated Hapgood that he instead donated the coveted acre to Reading for use as a town cemetery, ensuring that Bailey could never control it. Thus was created "Spite Cemetery."

The nearest neighbors are always quiet.

Between 1800 and 1850 an industrial and commercial complex surrounded the house. A woolen factory, 3 stories tall, plus other mills and a blacksmith shop bustled with activity. Owners and employees lived in the brick house. They shopped at the general store within. The "Store" is very rustic with huge doorway, exposed beams and old stencilled drawers with (now) exotic labels such as "Gum Myrrh" and "Snuff". An eclectic collection of tools and household items fills the shelves.

The penny-pinching nature of old Levi Bailey survives in several stories. One tells of a boy given a penny to spend in the store. He carefully surveyed his possible choices and at last decided on the largest fig in a box. Mr. Bailey took the cent and carefully regarded the fig. Then he announced it was too large a fig for a cent and after taking a good-sized bite from the fig, gave it to the astonished boy.

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Click-on these pages for more information:  | Introduction | Guest Rooms/Rates | Library - Parlor - Garden Room - Porch | Breakfast and Refreshments | What Guests Say About Bailey's Mills | The Grounds & The Neighborhood | Fruit Cake TV Show | Pets Welcome | Our Favorite Recipes | Attractions | How to Find Us |

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