Entire home

19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling

Photo gallery for 19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling

Exterior
Common Room, looking towards sitting area surrounded by historic wood beams.
Sunset
Upon entering the School House, large open space with kitchen to the right
View in April of the School House's expansive lawn

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom2 bathroomsSleeps 2735 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Buskirk, NY
  • Bennington College
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Saratoga Lake
    ‪39 min drive‬
  • Albany, NY (ALB-Albany Intl.)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Downstairs bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upstairs bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Garden
Dining area

About this property

19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling

The School House, which was originally built prior to 1815, has undergone a complete renovation, painstakingly preserving its historic structure. There is a charming aura of history throughout the house that is coupled with all the modern conveniences. The appearance of the School House from the outside belies its spacious interior. From the outside, it looks like the one room school house it used to be. On the inside, however, there are two floors with generously sized rooms. On the entry level, the high ceilinged Common Room includes a well equipped kitchen, tables and chairs for dining and a comfy area for lounging. There is also an office/den as well as a full bathroom with a shower. Stairways lead to the lower level where there’s a large bedroom with a queen-sized bed, desk and a wide screen, wall TV. A sliding door leads to a full bathroom with a combination tub and shower. A washer/dryer is installed in a small room off of the bathroom.
The furniture throughout the house (a mix of modern and antique), the art works and oriental rugs are seamlessly blended together. The kitchen is fully stocked with cooking utensils, dinnerware, and an assortment of appliances. The stove is set in a center island.
High speed fiber optic internet is provided by Verizon FIOS (300 Mbps).
A blue stone patio allows for enjoyment of the property outside with a propane fired barbecue and table and chairs. Views of farm fields are the prominent vistas seen from inside and outside the house. All seasons at the house are distinctive. In the fall, the vistas of the multi-colored foliage are breathtaking; winter is serene; spring is noteworthy for early blossoms; and in summer nature shows off its bounty of flowering plants.
The School House is available for year-round rental. Pets are welcome, but there is an added fee of $15 per pet per night.
The property is located in northern Rensselaer County/upper Hudson Valley in a rural setting. The scenic agricultural landscape surrounding the house reflects the paintings by Grandma Moses, the renowned folk artist who lived in the area. It is just 5 miles from the village of Hoosick Falls. Grocery and drug stores, banks, restaurants, and a variety of specialty stores are about 6 miles away. The house is within easy driving distance of larger towns such as Bennington, VT, Saratoga Springs, NY and Williamstown, MA. Cambridge, NY (a 15-minute drive) offers an active community arts center with theater and musical performances (Hubbard Hall Projects), and surrounding communities offer a wide range of cultural and sporting activities. For example, Williamstown, MA (a 35-minute drive) is renowned for its summer theater, and the Clark Art Institute is highly regarded for its art collection and exhibits. Saratoga Springs, NY (a 55-minute drive) has thoroughbred horse racing and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the National Museum of Dance and the National Museum of Racing. Bennington, VT (a 35-minute drive) has the Bennington Museum, Bennington Battle Monument, and Bennington Pottery. Manchester, VT (a 45-minute drive) is known for its discount shopping outlets, including Orvis, the famous store/school specializing in fly fishing. The nearby Battenkill River is a must for trout fishing, and the Little Hoosic River also offers fine fishing opportunities. Antiquing is a popular pastime in the area which has numerous antique stores. Hiking trails are also plentiful within a half hour to an hour’s drive. There are several horseback riding stables in the area and numerous lakes for swimming. Nearby lakes include Lake Paran, N. Bennington, VT; Lake Shaftsbury, Shaftsbury, VT., Lake Lauderdale, Cambridge, NY; Grafton Mt. Lakes and Grafton Lakes, State Park, Grafton, NY. Canoeing, tubing, and kayaking opportunities exist both on the Hoosic River (with a boat launch just a few miles away) and the Battenkill River. The closest golf course, Dutchaven in Buskirk, is a 5-minute drive. Other nearby golf courses can be found at the Hoosick Falls Country Club; Mount Anthony Country Club, Bennington, VT; and Windy Hills Golf Course in Greenwich, NY. The closest ski area is Willard Mountain (a 15-minute drive). Other ski areas within a reasonable commute include Prospect Mt., Jiminy Peak in Hancock, MA; Stratton Mountain, Bondville, VT; Mt. Snow, West Dover, VT. Late summer offerings include the two agricultural fairs: the Schaghticoke Fair in Schaghticoke, NY and the Washington County Fair in Greenwich, NY. Fine restaurants can be found throughout the area as well as plentiful, seasonal open-air markets.

Property manager

Constance Kheel
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 10:00 AM
Check out before 3:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Pets are welcome, but there's an addition fee of $15 per night per pet. No events permitted. No smoking in the house.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

North America

Map
Buskirk, NY

What's nearby

  • Bennington College - 22 min drive - 25.4 km
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - 29 min drive - 31.8 km
  • Saratoga National Historical Park - 37 min drive - 40.1 km
  • Saratoga Lake - 39 min drive - 38.6 km
  • Saratoga Race Course - 49 min drive - 45.0 km

Getting around

  • Albany, NY (ALB-Albany Intl.) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Unihog - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Marpe's Country Store - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Brown's Brewing Company - Walloomsac Tap Room - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Fall's Diner - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Sand Bar - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at 19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling ?

Check-in begins at 10:00 AM.

What time is check-out at 19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling ?

Checkout is at 3:00 PM.

Where is 19th century school house converted into a charming two story dwelling located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 12 miles (20 km) of Bennington Battlefield Park, Willard Mountain and Grafton Lakes State Park. Arvilla E. Diver Memorial Library and Green Mountain National Forest are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrific

Beautiful, scenic location and great accommodations.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brendan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome property

We had a great time staying here. They've done a great job renovating the former school house. Easy drives to Bennington and Saratoga Springs.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bradley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little getaway

Wonderful home with great walking trails right on property. Great relaxing getaway
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dima K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfortable wintery stay

A very comfortable, well appointed place for 2 people. It was warm on arrival. The kitchen is fully stocked for making delicious meals. The bed is very comfortable. The area, quiet and peaceful.Just general warning if staying in this area during a snow storm : it's on small roads which get plowed less often than the bigger roads and there are chances for a power outage.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect

Intentional home, not a cheap flip for rentals. Truly the most conscientious and thoughtful VRBO or rental home we have stayed at in over 13 years of regularly traveling. A central location for us to visit many communities we were interesting exploring what the hype was all about; NY City, The Berkshires/Lenox, MA, Catskills/Woodstock NY, Southern Vermont. Fantastic kitchen with all the cookware, utensils, and space we needed. Perfectly quiet, very peaceful, a loved historical home and land.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Second time we stayed here. Location is beautiful, house is very nice and great host. We will likely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint and Rural

We came for the long weekend, we were not disappointed at all! Connie was the best host, she had everything ready and her “ book of the house” didn’t leave anything to question. We will most definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My stay at the School house

Connie is a superb hostess who gave me so many wonderful tips about what to do and see. She answered all my questions promptly about the house - which was pristine and beautifully appointed with everything I needed!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donald G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect.

We travel a lot. We were very impressed with the careful, well thought out, decisions. Very detailed. Wonderful experience. A+ rating. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edward M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The School House

The photograph doesn't make clear how beautiful the hills, fields, and woods near the School House are, with walking trails on the property. This was our second stay. It's comfortable and amazingly well supplied with just about anything you might need--paper goods, sheets and towels, spices, coffee and tea. Good pots and utensils and nearby farm stands make it a pleasure to cook there. The owner is extremely helpful.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edward M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great reconstructed historic school

This is a great place to stay in the middle of an incredibly area of rolling hills and big skies. The property is huge with many will maintained working trails. The kitchen is large and completely supplied with implements for cooking. The landlord is incredibly nice and helpful.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anjel V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cosy NYE Escape

This stay was just what we needed as a family. We were looking for an escape from the city on NYE weekend. This location met all of our needs - it was in the country, so away from the fireworks but close enough to nearby towns to enjoy a day of sightseeing in both NY and VT. It was lovely to read about the history behind the schoolhouse, and overall the character of the building added something special to our stay. It had everything we needed and more, and we had a wonderful experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

30th anniversary get-away

Beautiful country setting. The fall colors were glorious. The schoolhouse itself was comfortable and so cozy. We had everything we needed and more. We felt so at home there, and looked forward to getting back each evening after a day of exploring. Our only regret is that we didn't make it out to the beaver pond and white oak tree, due to weather. Other than mother nature, our stay was excellent!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Holiday retreat

An amazing retreat during our holiday visit. Will stay here again. Beautiful property and location
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

elizabeth b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful in every way

Connie is a superb host, and the schoolhouse is very welcoming. The area surrounding it is quiet and spectacularly beautiful (especially during autumn). We can't recommend this property highly enough. If you are seeking a tranquil retreat, this is it.
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

The schoolhouse was beautiful and like staying in a museum with its history and so well thought out- had everything my husband and I (and a dog) could need. The scenery or God’s beautiful creation in the area was breathtaking. It was worth being in a rural area and having to drive a little to get to a grocery store or restaurant. There are a ton of farms surrounding the area. There is also 100 acres of land owned by the host to walk on if you like to hike. The host was great too and so helpful with suggestions of things to do in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Philip W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful getaway with great history

The school house was well appointed and well supplied. The area was peaceful and the stars were incredible.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dominique H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!

It was perfect for our week long visit. We had everything we needed including a well-appointed kitchen, top of the line bath products, and a wonderful property to roam. It was everything we hoped for and more.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

PERFECT RESPITE

This beautiful little school house has been restored to perfection and is a sweet escape from the world. Connie is a great host and did things like bring us folding chairs for our birthday party held there. She was very responsive and obviously has invested herself into making this school house a historic destination. I admire her vision and attention to detail. Highly recommend it.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

PETRA S., New York, NY, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfort and cosiness in rolling hills

Beautifully restored/hypermodernized, stylish, very complete and very clean. Lots of love went into this property and the result is the cosiest, most comfortable you can imagine. The 2 of us and our doggie had a blast working ‘from home’, wandering, cooking, lounging, sledding and going to different skiresorts in area. .
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda D., Silver Spring, MD

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Buskirk Schoolhouse Christmas!

From the moment we walked in the door we couldn’t have been more pleased. The house is beautifully renovated and perfectly appointed, and the surrounding fields, woods and beaver pond provided hours of chilly winter wanderings. We came to the area to visit family for Christmas and were just as comfy and cozy as we would have been in our own home! Thanks, Connie - we will see you again soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

DREAMSCAPE

Wonderful!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect week

We loved our week at the schoolhouse. The owner has thought of everything and we hope to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Stay

Exceptionally well equipped. Wonderfully furnished. Great linens. Connie is outstanding as a hostess!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Constance Kheel

Host profile image
I am an artist who settled in Buskirk in the early 1970s, after graduating from nearby Bennington College. I was drawn to this area by the beauty of its historic farmsteads and its open space. Over the years, besides painting, I became involved in conserving agricultural land and the rural landscape. Another passion of mine has been restoration. Over the years, I have purchased several historic homes and barns and have renovated and/or restored them. My studio is located in one of the historic barns. I currently own two other homes that I offer for short term rental in addition to the School House. All the homes reflect their historical heritage, but are equipped with modern conveniences.

Why they chose this property

The Buskirk School House is located in a particularly beautiful rural community. The fields, forests, streams, rolling hills and historic farmsteads still feel timeless. So far, the original division of land has remained relatively intact with active farmsteads still including about 100 - 150 acres. Agriculture is still the dominant activity in the area. The assortment of dairy, vegetable, horse and sheep farms are a constant pleasure to observe as farmers drive their equipment, planting the fields and harvesting the crops. The large tracts of land allow for an abundance of wildlife, a constant source of pleasure to spot in the landscape. The area also offers a unique combination of country, culture, and leisure activities. While private and rural, it is situated in close proximity to a number of interesting towns in Vermont, Massachusetts as well as NY.

What makes this property unique

A vacation at the Buskirk School House offers a unique combination of country, culture, and leisure activities. While private and rural, the house is also within easy driving distance to a number of interesting towns in Vermont, Massachusetts as well as NY.
Surrounded by farm fields and woods, the School House is an ideal spot for the enjoyment of nature. Deer and wild turkeys are frequently sighted in the landscape. Hiking, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing are welcome activities. Sleds are provided for sledding. There are several walking trails in close proximity to the house. Walking or driving along picturesque country roads is a favorite pastime for guests as well as residents. Bike riding is also a common activity in the summer, taking in the views of the countryside at closer range. While the fall foliage is gorgeous, at all times of the year guests will be treated to spectacular scenery.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests