Our Story

I’ve always found it a fascinating practice to dissect a phrase or an expression, to investigate its Etymology.  I’m writing this from the edge of a cliff and I have only one phrase in mind - a leap of faith.  According to several sources a leap of faith refers to the act of believing in or accepting something outside the boundaries of reason. Well let me tell you - it is completely unreasonable that I purchased this old farm with the intent of restoring it. No reasonable person would have believed that this renovation would be a reasonable thing to do. Sometimes in life, we are lured to what is unreasonable, because the feeling of doing something you once believed or were told impossible is nothing short of dazzling. 

It was a zillow posting that led us to buy this farm; or perhaps it was a targeted advertisement that knew me too well - knew the once little girl who grew up on an apple orchard and played ‘farm’ with her friends in coastal New Hampshire - knew that she would eventually tire of living in New York City and find herself wanting fresh air - where she was meant to be.  Since my family and I began to renovate Frost Moon Mountain two years ago not everything has been easy. We’ve honestly had more challenges than one could anticipate - but nothing has made us prouder than being stewards to this property and contributing to the preservation of a piece of Vermont history. 

Our farm has history. Deep roots, like those of the centuries old maple trees that line our River Road. For more than 250 years, this farm has grown food for, sheltered, and sustained many people. Most of all, it has inspired its residents and those passing by with its unimpeded views across the Battenkill River to the large, sun-filled fields speckled with cattle, and on to the dark-purple shape of East Mountain.

No one is sure when exactly our story begins - there's something romantic about that.  I would like to imagine that many centuries ago, this land nourished, and was lovingly tended by the Native American peoples who are its true owners - and there is evidence to support that.  Based on written records however, we’ll begin when Manchester was chartered in 1764.  The first textual evidence of our property dates to June 25, 1795 - although there is good reason to believe that the farm was settled before that date. 

Throughout its life, Frost Moon has had many different names and was owned by various farming families.  There were the Burtons in 1780 (approximately, or earlier); it was Elijah Burton who built, presumably the first building on the property, which is referred to as an ‘ancient farmhouse’ in historical record. Later his son, Curtis Burton built the present farmhouse around 1843.  The Burton’s farmed here for nearly a century, until they sold the property to the Botsford family, who farmed the land from 1891 - ca. 1930’s.  During their ownership the primary commodity produced on the farm was butter, which Mr. Botsford delivered throughout the Village by horse and buggy. Around 1940 the farm was sold yet again, this time to the Johnson’s.

 Oscar Johnson Sr. was married Mary Whyte Ferguson in 1911 and settled in Connecticut. They especially loved Vermont and the Green Mountains and often spent time in the state camping. Oscar Johnson Jr. - their son, was drawn to animals and loved the idea of having a farm. His parents were encouraging of Oscar’s interest in agriculture and supported his desire for a farm; and they had a good place in mind - Vermont. What we have here today is thanks to the Johnson family. They were incredible stewards to this property, the farm they called Sunny Lea. They loved this place so; and they continue to love it, from just across the street. 

When we purchased the farm from the Johnson’s in 2020 we had no idea that it would turn into what it is. Many times over the three years it took to finish all the work, Trent and I had a sense of pride in the projects we’d done but also in the way we’d done them. The story of Frost Moon Mountain is more than the curated renovations we have done; it’s more than the paint colors, light fixtures, materials and furnishings. It’s a story of dedication, it’s a story of perseverance, how you can take you’re life into your own hands and create something that reflects your truest desires. Trent and I get to fall asleep together and wake up in this beautiful place we crafted heel to toe, step by step. We look at Frost Moon Mountain with so much love and amazement; and we’re so excited to share it with you.