Looking for something totally unique for your family vacation or friend getaway? The Schoolhouse and Tiny Library - A Bridgton Retreat - is the perfect way to gather to enjoy the beautiful Lakes Region of Maine! Two separate buildings share a large 7.5 acre peaceful property. Far enough apart for privacy, yet close enough to feel connected, you won't find anything like it in New England! Both antique buildings have been completely renovated in 2022 and 2023 yet retain their original character.
OVERVIEW
The Schoolhouse
Far from a little one room schoolhouse, this 2400 square foot space built in 1861 feels bright and open with its 11 ft ceilings, open concept living area, 4 comfortable bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. It is the perfect mix of old and new. Natural light streams in through the massive original windows and the wood floors and butcher block counters and furnishings make it feel warm and homey. The school boasts unique features such as the original chalkboards and "good morning" staircase - well traveled by hundreds of little feet from the nearly 100 years that the school was open.
The property is a peaceful combination of fields and woods in a quiet, private setting. The outdoor space allows for grilling, roasting s'mores over the large seasonal granite fire pit, lounging in one of the hammock chairs under Mable, our massive maple tree or relaxing after a day of swimming, hiking, shopping or skiing in the 7 person year-round hot tub while looking at the stars.
The Library
Opened in 1928 as the Perley Memorial Library and Reading Room, this unique tiny home has been lovingly restored and named The Tiny Library. The original 380 square foot building now contains a book-filled sleeping loft with a comfy king and twin bed. Warm wood tones and the dark and moody decor make for a luxurious atmosphere. The original bead board walls and ceiling plus three original bookcases help to preserve the library character. These elements were built upon to create this truly memorable vacation rental. The library has a small fire pit area and its own 4 person hot tub just outside the back door.
The Schoolhouse and Library are approximately 100 feet apart. They have separate parking areas but share the long pull through part of the driveway.
BEDROOMS
The Schoolhouse
There are four bedrooms in the house with an additional upstairs common area with a daybed that can be used for sleeping (sleeps 10). The downstairs has one bedroom with a king bed with a comfy hybrid memory foam mattress. Please note there are 3 steps up to this room. The remaining bedrooms are on the second floor. One room has a queen bed with memory foam mattress, another has two twin beds and the primary bedroom includes a king hybrid memory foam bed plus a daybed. In total, the schoolhouse sleeps 10 comfortably.
The Library
The sleeping loft is the only bedroom and is up a steep alternate tread staircase. There you will find a comfortable king bed with a memory foam mattress, ultra soft cotton sheets and a fluffy duvet. There is also a twin XL bed in a cute and cozy corner of the room. The library sleeps 3.
We request that at least one adult sleep in the library if there are children present.
BATHROOMS
The Schoolhouse
The schoolhouse has three full bathrooms. One is located downstairs between the great room and king bedroom. The other two are located on the second floor, one for the queen and twin bedrooms to share (includes a full tub) and the other as part of the primary suite.
The Library
The bathroom is tiny but the shower is nice and roomy. Everything you need is provided from body wash, shampoo and conditioner to bath and hot tub towels to extra toilet paper and a hair dryer.
KITCHEN
The Schoolhouse
The kitchen is located in the open concept great room and boasts a large island for gathering or prepping food with bar stool seating for 6. It is well stocked with cookware, bakeware, dishes and utensils as well as a toaster, blender, 2 crockpots, and electric skillet, some spices and cooking spray or oil. The gas cooktop is perfect for the chef in the family and the wall oven and microwave make cooking easy and convenient. There is plenty of storage.
The kitchen is small (notice the theme here?) but comfortable to work in with its propane cooktop, large sink and gorgeous stone countertops. It is well stocked with cookware, bakeware, dishes and utensils as well as a toaster, toaster oven, microwave, some spices and cooking spray and oil.
We built the coffee and tea bars in both buildings with the coffee lover in mind! Drip and French press coffee can be made to allow you to enjoy the perfect cup your way. A variety of tea is provided as well as regular and decaf coffee beans for grinding. While we provide enough to get you going for a few days, longer stays may require a trip to the grocery store to replenish the supplies.
LIVING/DINING
The dining and living room areas of the schoolhouse are also in the great room. Enjoy meals or games as a whole group around the massive Restoration Hardware dining table. Gather in the living room for conversation or a movie on the 65" Roku tv with streaming apps and cable tv.
The library is open concept so living, dining and kitchen are all together. The library can seat 3 in the living room and 4 around the dining table.
**The schoolhouse has a wonderful library of hundreds of books and the Tiny Library, of course, is FILLED with books as all libraries should be! Please feel free to "check out" a book (permanently!) if you find one you'd like to continue reading after your stay with us. We only ask that you take out fiction books and leave the nonfiction for others to enjoy during their stay.**
THE OUTDOOR AREA
The Schoolhouse
Just outside the inviting sunporch is a small deck that leads to the 7 person hot tub. The hot tub is open year round. Down the steps is 2 picnic tables with umbrellas. Also in this area is the firepit made from large granite blocks with seasonal seating for 10 around the fire. This will be a favorite spot to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature!
The Library
Right outside the back door you'll find the roomy year-round hot tub in a private setting with rock walls and woods as the backdrop. The side yard is where you'll find the fire pit.
**Please Note: We do not supply firewood as a rule, but there may be some left behind from others and may get you started on your first night. Dry fire wood bundles can be bought at the Irving station about 6 minutes away and are generally about $8.
***Please Note: The yard and outbuildings at the property are a work in progress! We have a barn, garage and sheds that all will be beautified over time, but currently aren't the prettiest to look at! We trust you will understand that it takes time to bring a rundown and neglected historic property back to life and we hope you forgive the appearance of some of our currently unused outbuildings.**
Guests will have access to the schoolhouse and library and surrounding yard. As the outbuildings are currently unfinished, we ask that guests do not enter these structures. Guests are welcome to enjoy the yard, field and woods. Please keep in mind that this is Maine and there is wildlife in our area including ticks.
While I won't be available in person I do live nearby and am available to answer questions!
Please contact me through the Airbnb app and I will respond quickly.
The stairs to the loft in the library are steep and have alternating treads for comfort and ease of climbing. The Schoolhouse has many stairs to get to the second level but there is a bedroom on the first floor as well. There is 3 steps leading to the downstairs bedroom.
Rental contract required for every booking! To be sent to guest upon booking with the 48 hour zero penalty cancellation period.
***We require all guests (unless children accompanied by a parent) be at least 24 years old.***
The Schoolhouse and Tiny Library is perfect for families or a group of friends to relax and enjoy vacation together. It won't be the right place for you if you are interested in having an all day and night drinking fest.
*****Sorry, no pets, no parties or events and no smoking or vaping of any kind ($300 fine).******
Maine is home to ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, ladybugs, stinkbugs, spiders, deer, turkeys, bats, racoon, skunks, bees and more! While our housekeepers and pest control service work hard to keep things very clean and tidy, the reality is we are a 100+ year old building in the country in the mountains of Maine - so you may encounter some wildlife!
Please note that while we have a quiet 7.5 acre property, the property is located in a small rural Maine neighborhood with homes of all types and ALL conditions. There are a couple neighbors you can partially see through the woods and occasionally cars drive by.
There are a few things we ask guests to do for checkout -
-load and start the dishwasher
-close any open windows, turn off lights and lock doors
-any full trash bags can be placed in the bin outside
