Apartment

The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house

Photo gallery for The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house

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Room
Room
Room
Room

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Private pool
  • Kitchenette
  • Dog-friendly
  • Air-conditioning
  • Internet
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Pelham, MA
  • Place, Amethyst Conservation Area
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Amherst College
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Emily Dickinson Museum
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Worcester, MA (ORH-Worcester Regional)
    ‪77 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchenette
Garden

About this property

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.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to 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 # 4664489vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses some solar energy
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

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.
Map
Pelham, MA

What's nearby

  • Amethyst Conservation Area - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Amherst College - 12 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Emily Dickinson Museum - 12 min drive - 10.1 km
  • Elements Hot Tub Spa - 12 min drive - 10.1 km
  • 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
  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Mom's House Asian Market - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Johnny's Tavern - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Cushman Market & Cafe - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

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 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at The Parlour - private studio in a historic 1740 colonial house?

On-site 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?

Checkout 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 miles (10 km) of Elements Hot Tub Spa and Emily Dickinson Museum. Amherst College and Beneski Museum of Natural History are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

8.0

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 5 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2026
Thanks so much, Christine. I'm glad the weather improved for Saturday!
Verified

8/10 Good

Shira H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was great, and was consistent with the description! Very cozy and plenty of room, the bed was comfy.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2026
Thanks Shira! I'm glad you had a good experience. It was lovely hosting you.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sonja M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 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!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 May 2026
Thanks Amy! I'm glad you loved the antique aspects of the house as much as we do. We appreciate your kind comments.
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Heather B.

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Nov 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

Host profile image
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.

Languages:

English
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