The Madsonian House

Welcome to the Madsonian House, an experimental house created with concrete and joy.  The house is part of the Madsonian Museum, a non-profit 501c3, and all proceeds go directly back to support it. We are delighted to share this special place with you and hope you enjoy the experience.

WIFI password:  madsonian

Property Manager:   Jim Denis  - 802-353-1850

 Housekeeping: Janet Denis - 802-770-0276

House Address:
842 Prickly Mountain Road
Warren, Vermont 05674
(802) 583-2014

❋ Hot Water

The primary bedroom shower has two knobs: the top knob is the diverter, which switches between tub and shower.  Keep that pointed towards 9 o’clock for the shower.  The bottom knob is the temperature.  Keep the temp knob pointed between 9-10 o’clock for hot water.  

Downstairs Shower: The downstairs shower, which as you’ve noticed, is smack in the middle of the bathroom has the best water pressure in the building. The lower knob pulls towards you and aimed at 7 o’clock for a shower temp.

The kitchen sink:  Aim the handle away from you to get hot water, towards the backsplash.

If you like ice, we recommend making some with the ice trays in one of the kitchen drawers with pans. The ‘golf balls’ have been a hit.

❋ Lights

This house has more light switches and lights than you can probably count.  We highly recommend you find and explore them for their aesthetic effect and functionality.

For maximum brightness at night, the ceiling lights on the second floor bedroom need to be turned on to spot up at the ceiling.  They will bounce light back and give a warm glow to the house.  Also find the bank of switches to the right at the top of the stairs to the office area.   

In addition to wall switches, the lamps with toe tap switches are helpful (one near the white leather couch and one in the primary bedroom dressing area).

We think it needs a bit more light at night and are working on some solutions. Open to feedback!

❋ Trash

Vermont has many fantastic qualities, but subsidized trash pickup is not one of them. Vermont residents take their own trash and recycling to the local dump, or “transfer station,” and pay per bag. Trash goes in the metal cans, and recycling goes in the wooden drawer. If you’re so inclined, there is also a composting can available for food scraps.

Animals:  Do not leave food or uneaten food outside, even if it is in a trash bag. Wild animals are attracted to food and will get it (bears, raccoons, coyotes, lynx, mice, etc).

❋ Temperature

Most Vermont homes do not have air conditioning, since it is only needed a few days each year. Feel free to cool the house by opening windows and doors. If you leave the doors open, be prepared for flies and mosquitoes to come into the house, especially at night, because they are attracted to the light.

The radiant floor is the main source of heat. Two wall-mounted heating units in the main room, next to the wall of plants, provide extra warmth when needed.

The fireplace has a custom damper (the two rods on the mantel) that can let a lot of warm air escape and quickly drop the house temperature into the 50s if left open. The catch is, they MUST be left open after the fire dies down, because the smoke needs to escape and not fill into the house. While the fire is dying down, warm air unfortunately also escapes. Because of this, using the fireplace is not recommended in very cold temperatures.

We are working on a solution to install a custom glass door to the fireplace, but until then, please do not make a fire.

❋ Kitchen

The kitchen faucet water is filtered.

Dishwasher Tip:  If you’re short on time, use the 60-minute quick cycle instead of the longer one. Add detergent, close the cap, select the 60 min cycle on the top of the door, then press Start. Be sure to close the door firmly after pressing start.

The dishwasher runs very quietly, so look for the red light shining on the floor — it means the cycle is running and the door shouldn’t be opened.

There’s also a handy third rack at the top, perfect for small or odd-shaped items like mug lids and cooking utensils.

Please do not put wood or kitchen knives into the dishwasher.

 

Non-stick pans:  We used to have several non-stick pans, but they didn’t last long — metal utensils caused scratches and damage. Now, we have one non-stick pot as a bit of an experiment to see if it can survive (we’re counting on you!).

Please avoid using metal utensils; use only wooden or plastic utensils to keep the surface in good condition.

Wooden Countertop:  The kitchen countertop is wood, but not to be used as a cutting board.  Please use the provided cutting boards.  Hot pans will leave black marks and should be left on a cutting board or on the range surface.

❋ Extra Tips

The white towels are for inside. There are turquoise towels if you're going to a lake or river.

Turn off lights at night in the summer to avoid attracting bugs and then spiders. Speaking of spiders, the Mad House seems to attract cobwebs almost by the minute. Janet does a good job getting to them, but they appear even after she’s left. If you see one that bothers you, you’re welcome to use the blue brush located in the coat closet.

The primary bed is on wheels and slides outside if you’re feeling adventurous and want to sleep under the stars. The one time we did it, the mosquitoes were on the warpath, so we rolled it back in. Maybe you’ll be luckier than we were.

Award-winning architect David Sellers conceived the Madsonian House originally as an experiment with concrete. After moving to Warren, Vermont, in the mid-1960s, Sellers observed that many homes required extensive maintenance due to extreme weather conditions. While wood is commonly used in homebuilding, it can be costly and demands significant upkeep in snow and rain and systems to regulate temperature in harsh climates. Intrigued by the possibility of addressing these challenges, Sellers experimented with poured concrete as an alternative building material. Though not the first to explore this concept (Thomas Edison attempted it in the early 1900s), Sellers aimed to create an affordable and sustainable model for future home construction. In 2014, Sellers initiated the creation of the Madsonian House, partly self-funded and with partners, without a specific client. This freedom allowed him to test ideas, make spontaneous decisions, and discover unique spaces as the project progressed. The primary goal was to design an environmentally conscious home with minimal heating, cooling, and illumination costs. The house features: •Solar panels that cover the annual electricity bill •A geothermal system providing winter heat through radiant flooring Today, the Madsonian Museum owns the house, welcoming guests from around the world. We hope you enjoy your stay in the Mad River Valley and invite you to share your experience in our guest book.

Sincerely,

The Madsonian Team

The Story Behind the House

Things to Do

The Mad River Valley has much to offer people of all ages and energy levels.  We recommend checking out a few of our favorite places:

Art & Gifts

Specialty Foods & Provisions

Antiques & Vintage

  • Deadrise Revival: A great stop for vintage and antique treasures.

  • Stone House Antique Center: A large option for antique hunters. 

Other Notable Spots

Restaurants

The valley has a hard time keeping restaurants open because staffing is so inconsistent. During the shoulder seasons (spring and early winter), tourism slows down and restaurants feel the strain. As a result, there may be some newer restaurants that are not yet included on this list. Always call first because sometimes they have closed days or unpredictable hours.

Breakfast 

  • The Warren Store for breakfast or lunch to go.  Not a sit-down. They also have an espresso machine.  A small selection of pastries and other food to go

  • Toast and Eggs - a funky place that makes a great hearty breakfast

Lunch

  • The Mad Taco – locals’ favorite for lunch, good people-watching

  • Lawsons – a local brewery

  • East Warren Market - this is the closest place to the Madsonian House and a funky little local store. It has basic things like bread, milk, butter, fresh vegetables from local farmers, and handmade crafts. Worth checking out for the experience. Upstairs is the local radio station.

Dinner

  • The Blue Stone – casual pizza

  • The Pitcher Inn – upscale for Vermont. More like a regular restaurant by any city standards.

  • Chez Henri – a CLASSIC local restaurant owned and run by Henri.  Very French, great food, one of our favorites

  • Mad River Barn – great menu, great for kids, upstairs bar nice for après, downstairs for big tables, one of our favorites

  • Tracks Tavern, a downstairs bar located in the Pitcher Inn (same architect as the Madsonian House) for drinks or appetizers… good après

  • Flatbread Pizza (open only certain nights, and they don’t take reservations.  The line gets long very quickly, so get there on the early side).

  • The Hideaway – dinner or après

  • Kitchenette - This is a cool option if you want to cater your meal. We like it for dinners with groups. Their menu changes daily, so the best bet is to call and find out what they can make.

Pitcher Inn Tracks Tavern

Groceries

  • East Warren Market – locally sourced meat, cheese, vegetables, prepared food, and other goods. If you like sushi, ask when it’s made and order yours ahead of time.

  • Muherons Market – a local mainstay where you’ll see the local flavor of people.  Has a local cheese selection and a liquor store.  I usually go for the local frozen pizzas that are in shrinkwrap and very thin. Inside tip: Liquor is paid for at the back register; wine, beer, and champagne are paid for at the front register..   In the summer, grab a creemee from the shop a few doors down.

  • Shaws — the biggest grocery store nearby, and the most typical for everyday things

Adventures

  • Check out the Madsonian Museum, then head next door to All Things Bright and Beautiful (a stuffed-animal store) owned by sisters Galen and Bonnie.  They are wonderful characters and worth saying hi to. 

  • Clearwater Sports rents tubes for the river in the summer, as well as bikes, sleds, snowshoes, and other sports equipment, depending on the season.  Ask for Barry, we love him

  • Find a local swimming hole like the Warren Falls

  • Cross Country Ski at Blueberry Lake in the winter, or take a swim in the summer

  • Ice skate at the Skatium, call first because sometimes they open at noon

  • In the summer months, we love hiking Sunset Rock, the top of the Appalachian Gap, and part of the Long Trail for a 45-minute workout to a nice lookout.  Pack a lunch and don’t forget water.

  • The Von Trapp gardens are lovely to visit.  Ask for Emily and call ahead; they may take appointments only. 

  • Take a scenic drive along the East Warren Road to Waitsfield, and you’ll drive by the iconic yellow Round Barn and through a covered bridge into town. 

  • If you have time, you can take a drive to Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory in Waterbury.  There’s a lovely outside area of things to see while you’re eating your ice cream after the tour, such as a Flavor Graveyard, of flavors that retired.  There are some very funny ones in there… can’t believe they were ever made in the first place.

SHORT‑TERM RENTAL GUEST INFORMATION WARREN, VERMONT​

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Police - Fire - Ambulance​

Health & Fire Safety Contacts

  • Vermont Department of Health
    Phone: (802) 863‑7200 (or toll‑free in VT: 1‑800‑464‑4343)​

  • Vermont Department of Public Safety – Division of Fire Safety
    Phone: (802) 479‑7561 (Barre Regional Office)​

  • Poison Control Center

    • Phone: 1‑800‑222‑1222

    • Use for any suspected poisoning or overdose.

These agencies oversee health and fire safety standards for rental properties in Vermont.​

If there is fire, smoke, gas smell, medical emergency, or any immediate danger:​

  1. Leave the building right away using the nearest safe exit.

  2. Once safely outside, call 911.

  3. Give the operator:

    • The property address: 842 Prickly Mountain Road

    • Town: Warren, Vermont 05674

    • A brief description of the emergency.

If a smoke, CO, or other alarm sounds and no cause is obvious:​

  1. Treat every alarm as real.

  2. Evacuate the building.

  3. Call 911 from outside and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.

Solid Fuel (Firewood) & Outdoor Fire Rules

This property follows the Town of Warren Solid Fuel Burning Ordinance.​

Noise & Being a Good Neighbor

Guests must comply with the Town of Warren Noise Ordinance and be respectful of neighbors at all times.​

  • Keep outdoor noise to a minimum, especially between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

  • Repeated complaints may result in local enforcement and possible loss of rental privileges under the Warren STR Ordinance.​

Town of Warren Noise Ordinance:
https://www.warrenvt.org/documents/noise-ordinance/

Town & General Assistance

  • Town / Road / Flooding or Hazard Information (local emergency management):

    • Check Town of Warren website or local notices for current alerts.​

  • Vermont 2‑1‑1 (Information & Services Help Line):

    • Dial 211 from any phone in Vermont.

    • Use for shelter info, social services, and non‑emergency community resources.​

Required Notice Regarding STR License

This short‑term rental is operated under a license issued by the Town of Warren pursuant to the Town of Warren Short‑Term Rental (STR) Ordinance adopted September 17, 2025.​

  • Maximum overnight occupancy for this rental: 8 guests

  • Maximum off‑street parking spaces available: 4 vehicles​

  • The STR license may be suspended or revoked for violations of the STR Ordinance.​

Full ordinance text:
https://www.warrenvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Warren-STR-8.12.2025-FINAL.pdf

Responsible Party Contact

Person responsible for this rental:

Jim Denis (property manager): 802-353-1850

This person can assist with any property-related issue, day or night.​

Nearest Cross Street / Landmark: Up the road from the Prickly Pond, just past the Loop Road, nearest neighbors, the Platts, who bought the house from the Moffroids.

If you make any fun discoveries during your stay, please share them in the guest book. Future guests will appreciate reading the details of your adventures.