The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house
History comes alive at this cozy house built by Cap. Thomas Dick in 1740. Tranquil Pelham is known for Shay's Rebellion & the oldest town hall in the US.
Amherst is only 5 miles away, but Pelham feels like a different world. On a clear night, planets, constellations & satellites pepper the pitch dark sky. You may see bullfrogs, fireflies, woodpeckers, owls, black bears, foxes, and all their woodland neighbors.
Walking distance to the New England Trail, Quabbin Reservoir, historical museum & Buffam Falls.
The Thomas Dick House was built in 1740, the second oldest house in the small colonial town of Pelham, Massachusetts. Early New England colonials had originally two rooms: a "Hall," for cooking and sleeping, and a "Parlour," for entertaining guests - which is where you'll be staying.
This is a small (150 sq ft) but completely private room with a dedicated entrance and a private, attached en suite bathroom with a shower. You might *hear* hints of our being in the other part of the house, but you likely won't see us, unless we happen to run into each other outside. The parlour is in the oldest part of the house; the floor might not be level, but the heating and plumbing are modern!
Microwave, mini fridge/freezer, popcorn popper, wine glasses, coffeemaker, kettle, dishes, napkins and cutlery. Please let me know if you'd like me to leave a little pitcher of whole milk or half-and-half in the fridge for your coffee, or a little butter for popcorn.
A selection of snacks are on hand in case you have had a chance to make it to town yet.
Easy parking for one car. The driveway is narrow, so please message me if you need parking for a visitor or second car.
One well-behaved (i.e., quiet, not a chewer, house trained, etc) small/medium dog or cat is welcome. If they have trouble being left alone, please leave them in a crate if you ever go out without them. I can provide a crate if you need one. PLEASE BE SURE TO SELECT THE PET OPTION when making your reservation. There's a small one-time pet fee (not per night, only once per stay). One of my children is allergic to pet dander, so I'll have to do some extra cleaning at checkout. We have 2 (hypoallergenic) dogs and a barn cat ourselves, and most pet families are excellent guests, in my experience. I appreciate your understanding.
The quaint New Salem General Store, 12 minutes up the road, offers essentials, plus lovely made-to-order sandwiches and even a small post office. Amherst and Belchertown, each 10 minutes away in different directions, both have supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, and most other things you might need.
The quiet, peaceful Thomas Dick House in this Quabbin "hill town" is the perfect place to get away and savor the solitude.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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A cot or floor mat is available for a young child.
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights
Please leave any used bath/kitchen linens either hanging up or in the shower, on the floor. If you used the AC, please leave it set to 78⁰. Please turn off all lights, fans, heaters, appliances, etc.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4664489
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses some solar energy
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Amherst
Amherst is home to this apartment. Elements Hot Tub Spa and Amherst Farm Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mount Holyoke Range State Park and Lake Wyola State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium or Mullins Center.
University of Massachusetts Amherst - 14 min drive - 11.1 km
Getting around
Amherst Station - 10 min drive
Springfield Union Station (ZSF) - 45 min drive
Restaurants
Cumberland Farms - 8 min drive
Johnny's Tavern - 9 min drive
Mom's House Asian Market - 9 min drive
Dunkin' - 9 min drive
Protocol - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house?
As of Jun 25, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house on Jun 28, 2026 start from $216, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house located?
Situated in Amherst, this apartment building is 1.5 mi (2.3 km) from Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Reservation and within 6 mi (10 km) of Elements Hot Tub Spa and Emily Dickinson Museum. Amherst College and Beneski Museum of Natural History are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
We were here for graduation weekend and enjoyed our stay. The bed was comfortable and the shower was strong. The lilacs blooming outside the bathroom window were lovely. Would definitely recommend!
Christine W.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on May 17, 2026
Thanks so much, Christine. I'm glad the weather improved for Saturday!
Best night’s sleep we had the whole trip!! The bed was so comfortable and the surroundings so quiet. It’s amazing how many amenities Kerri Ann puts in this room without it being crowded. The water pressure, the coffee, and having a microwave out did the Hadley Hampton Inn which we stayed in first. We had a ton of electronics and found outlets for them all. We will most certainly be visiting again.
MaryAnn G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 15, 2026
Thank you so much. I'm glad you found everything you needed. Have a great summer!
The room was unique and well stocked with cozy amenities from chicken soup to coffee to a white noise machine! We enjoyed sipping tea in this tiny but comfortable space in Pelham.
Sonja M.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on May 17, 2026
Sonja, thanks very much! We try to go the extra mile, especially given our rural setting... Don't want arriving guests to get stuck without something to tide them over until things in town open up in the morning!
Very cool, historic property close to colleges in the 5 College Consortium. We really enjoyed our stay in this one room (plus full bath) apartment. The historic details of the apt, such as the original floors and beams, were very cool. It was very comfortable and the owner provided everything we needed. We would definitely stay here again!
Amy K.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on May 17, 2026
Thanks Amy! I'm glad you loved the antique aspects of the house as much as we do. We appreciate your kind comments.
On the plus side: the host communicated well and was welcoming. Easy check-in. Quiet area out in nature. Welcomed our dog. Host installed AC before our arrival. Coffee and filters stocked. Comfortable bed.Less to our liking was the scale of the room-very small for two people, no kitchen sink, very small bath sink, pool not open (host rebated 10% to us for this), entry door opens the wrong way, making it hard to enter with bags, no closet (hooks only), dorm-sized fridge, motion-detector entry light started flashing on and off at 4:00 in the a.m., the yard is littered with 'projects'- equipment, bins, containers, cardboard boxes, things in disrepair, unmowed grass and weeds.
Mark F.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 22, 2026
Hi Mark and Celia. I assume you missed all my photos and the exact square footage of the room in the listing. I have no doubt that two adults and a huge dog were a tight fit in a 10x15 room. I bent over backwards to honor your many, many requests for special treatment and to answer all your unusual questions. As for the "projects," I assume you're referring to our equipment used in beekeeping, chopping firewood, plowing snow, and keeping up with 3-1/2 acres of hilltop forest and meadow--most of which we quite intentionally do not mow, for our honeybees and other wildlife. As described in the listing, you were staying in (basically) a private mother-in-law studio in our quirky home, which is decades older than America itself, and where my family lives and works. Guests inevitably will see evidence of our existence, and of our daily lives. Your surprise is... surprising. As my daughter warned me at the time, it's clear that nothing I did would have earned a good review from you. I'd recommend reading listings more carefully and looking at all of a host's photos in the future, to avoid not only disappointment on your part, but also for the sake of other good, earnest, hard-working hosts like myself. Better luck on your next trip finding a property that meets all your specific expectations.
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Heather B.
Nov 9, 2025
Heather B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Nov 10, 2025
Hello again. I am sorry that the Parlour was not what you were looking for on this trip. I understand that a traveler from a more urban area might find my 300 year-old house and neighborhood to be much quieter, more rural, and darker than expected. Please be assured that I've edited my listing to emphasize more strongly these aspects of the property and to clarify even further what visitors can expect when they check in after sunset. I was happy to offer you a refund after you decided to check out early; I hope you were able to find last-minute accommodations more in line with your personal preferences for your second night.
I encourage all prospective guests to review the overwhelming majority of positive reviews I receive, which accurately reflect the care, quality, and flexibility that I offer to every visitor. I always go above and beyond to try to provide an excellent experience.
Options for accommodations around UMass are not plentiful, and each guest has specific needs and desires. I always recommend that travelers start looking well ahead of time for popular dates (like Parents' Weekend) to ensure a good individual match. I wish you the best.
About the host
Hosted by Kerri Ann
I'm a single mom who grew up in the southeastern US, but my 2 kids and I moved to Massachusetts in 2011, after several years of living in England. My work as a social worker specializing in work with elders and serious illness is rewarding, and each week, I commute between Pelham and a part-time job at a Boston nursing facility where I've been for many years now. My partner is a dedicated English professor at a community college.
Why they chose this property
We enjoy traveling, but home under the stars in Pelham is where we most want to be. Our family loves the countryside, the changing seasons, our dogs and cats, our honeybees, and our peaceful "dark skies" community, with its rich history and (mostly!) friendly neighbors. We hope that you'll love it too.
What makes this property unique
Our home is nearly 300 years old (1740) and one of the oldest houses in Pelham. The original occupant, Captain Thomas Dick, also built Pelham's unique town hall, the oldest in the entire country still in actual use; you can see it just a mile up the road towards the Quabbin Reservoir. Captain Dick also ran a tavern out of our house. One of our bedroom doors has an actual musket hole in it, from what we assume was the result of a spirited fireside debate after many cups of ale! The house's foundation is hand-set dry stone, which means the floors are... let's just say not completely plumb. We also have a "fun house" style staircase that's closer to a ladder than anything else, plus a beehive oven in one of the 3 fireplaces off the chimney stack. To us, though, all the quirks only add to the home's charm and appeal.