End of an Era at the Heartbreak Hotel

This summer, a one-in-a-thousand-year flood hit the village of Plainfield, Vermont. A local apartment building, which everyone called the Heartbreak Hotel, collapsed and washed away down the Great Brook. Twelve people were living there at the time, and they all survived. Most of their cats did not. We talk a lot about the importance of affordable housing and community and village revitalization. For over a century, the Heartbreak provided all three. This is a story about what was lost that night, and what it might suggest about how we move forward.

I made this story for Vermont Public. Thank you Vermont Public for letting me share the story with Rumble Strip listeners.

Thank you to the people of Plainfield for sending me pictures and sounds from town.

Thank you Heidi Wilson for allowing me to use your beautiful song about the flood.

Biggest gratitude to Heartbreak residents for your generous time, and patience.

Thank you Chelsea and Tobin and Mark.