Builder/Architect: A.B. Fisher & Co.
Date of Construction: ca. 1888
First Occupants: Riley B. and Jane A. Stearns
44 South Willard Street – southwest façade
This Queen Anne residence was built c. 1888 for Riley B. and Jane A. Stearns. Riley B. Stearns was a druggist in Burlington and a descendent of the prominent J. & J.H. Peck drug firm, which built one of the largest fortunes in Burlington.1 Stearns hired local architectural firm A.B. Fisher & Co. to design and build his home.2 Although some sources state that Riley lived here until 1919,3 Burlington city directory research indicates that Riley died in 19024 and his wife Jane continued to live here until 1917.5
William L. Stone, a retired wholesale bottler,6 lived here from 1918-1927,7 and then Mrs. Louise S. Wright occupied the home in 1928-1929.8 In 1930 Dr. Patrick and Margaret McSweeny purchased the property, and after Patrick’s death in 19379 Margaret lived here alone until 1942.10 There is no listing for the year 1943, but in 1944 the McSweeny’s daughter, Katherine, is living in the house.11 Katherine was an instructor at the University of Vermont and a physician, and lived here through 1949.12
In 1951 Clifton W. and Blanche L. Price purchased the house,13 and from 1960-1963 they operated it as the Aberdeen Guest House.14 Clifton was the vice-president of J.F. Kidder Manufacturing Co., and Blanche was the proprietor of the guesthouse.15
John J. and Veronica M. Barrett purchased the house in 1964,16 and then from 1965-1966 Thomas D. and Virginia North ran it as a co-op for Champlain College students.17 Today the house is named for Mr. and Mrs. North and is owned by Champlain College, which purchased it in 1967 to use for a dormitory.18 It continues to be used as such today.
---------------------------------------
1 Clark Schoettle, Vermont Historic Sites and Structures Survey: Burlington: South Willard Street. Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, 1977.
2 Ibid.
3National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Burlington, VT: South Willard Street Historic District. United States. National Park Service.
4 Burlington City Directory, 1902
5 Burlington City Directory, 1917
6National Register of Historic Places Inventory: Burlington, VT: South Willard Street Historic District. United States. National Park Service.
7 Burlington City Directories, 1919-1927
8 Burlington City Directory, 1929
9 Burlington City Directory, 1937
10 Burlington City Directory, 1942
11 Burlington City Directory, 1944
12 Burlington City Directory, 1949
13 Burlington City Directory, 1951
14 Burlington City Directories, 1960-1963
15 Burlington City Directory, 1960
16 Burlington City Directory, 1964
17 Burlington City Directory, 1965-1966
18 Champlain College, Virtual Tour, http://www.champlain.edu/champlain/vtour/rotate/html/index.php