Overview

Samuel Paddock Strong built his house in 1834, in the Federal style with Greek Revival influences. Samuel was the son of General Samuel Strong who directed the Vermont militia at the Battle of Plattsburg during the War of 1812. He was also the grandson of John Strong, a local legislator and military leader as well as one of the first settlers of Addison County. Samuel Paddock Strong made his mark in business as President of the Bank of Vergennes and Director of the Rutland and Burlington railroad. The Strong family passion for building grand houses is reflected in this elegant residence. Some of the prominent interior details of the house are the free-standing main staircase with curly maple railings, the black (seashell) marble fireplace in the morning dining room over which hangs a portrait of Samuel as a young man, and the elegant moldings and doors throughout. The house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of the best-preserved Federal/Greek Revival homes in the area. The house remained a private home for 150 years until 1984 when once again it officially bore the name of its builder, and became the Strong House Inn. Eight years later in 1992 your hosts Mary & Hugh Bargiel purchased the Inn. No, we are not your homebred Vermont innkeepers; both of us arrived from Miami yes Florida. Hugh a former Director of Purchasing for Burger King Corporation and I a former corporate manager (Burger King Relocation) and real estate broker.