How the real Von Trapp family ended up running a ski lodge in Vermont

The von Trapp Family’s Flight to Vermont

The von Trapp family’s real story beats the movie hands down. First, they lost all their cash when an Austrian bank crashed in 1935.

Then, when Nazis took over in 1938, Baron Georg said no to their flag, a Navy job, and singing at Hitler’s party.

The family fled to Italy by train that June, then sailed to New York broke.

After a brief stop in Pennsylvania, they found a new home in Vermont’s Green Mountains in 1941. They bought a farm, named it “One Heart,” and built a whole new life.

Now their 96-room resort in Stowe stands as proof.

The von Trapp Family Lost Their Fortune in a 1935 Bank Collapse

The von Trapp family didn’t start out planning to sing for a living. When an Austrian bank failed in 1935, they lost most of their money.

Georg von Trapp, a war hero from World War I, suddenly couldn’t pay the bills. They won first place at the Salzburg Music Festival in 1936, right before their lives changed forever.

They turned to singing to make money, using talents they got from Maria, a former nun who came to teach the kids in 1926 and married Georg in 1927.

Nazi Germany Forced the Family to Make a Life-Changing Decision

When Nazis took over Austria in March 1938, they ordered Georg to do three things: fly their flag at his house, join the German Navy, and have his family sing at Hitler’s birthday party.

Georg said no to all three. The Nazis wouldn’t let such a famous Austrian turn them down. The family knew they had to leave before Georg went to jail.

As an Austrian naval hero who sank 13 enemy ships in World War I, his refusal put them in danger.

Their Escape Wasn’t Quite Like the Movie Version

The von Trapps didn’t run over mountains like in the movie. They left Austria by train in June 1938, telling people they were going on tour.

They went to Italy first, where Georg had citizenship because he was born in Zara (now Zadar, Croatia), which Italy owned back then.

From Italy, they went to London and then sailed to America. They landed in New York in September 1938 with almost no money, just their singing skills and grit.

America Welcomed the Singing Family with Open Arms

The von Trapps came to America on visitor visas and started touring as the Trapp Family Singers. Americans loved their harmony, folk songs, and old-style music.

The family wore Austrian clothes during shows, which people found charming. They sang in English and German, mixing classical songs with Alpine folk music.

Their first years meant constant travel, hotel stays, and getting used to American life while earning money through music.

Baby Number Ten Arrived in Pennsylvania

After coming to America, the von Trapps lived briefly in Merion, Pennsylvania. Maria had their tenth child, Johannes, there in January 1939.

He was the third child Maria had with Georg, after Rosmarie and Eleonore. The family kept touring while looking for a forever home that felt like Austria.

The other seven kids came from Georg’s first marriage to Agathe Whitehead, who died from scarlet fever in 1922.

Vermont Mountains Reminded Them of Home

In 1941, the von Trapps found Stowe, Vermont. The Green Mountains looked like the Austrian Alps they missed.

After renting for a while, they bought a 660-acre farm in 1942 for $10,000. They called it “Cor Unum,” which means “One Heart” in Latin.

They built a house mixing Austrian and American styles. They grew veggies, raised animals, and made a little piece of Austria in Vermont.

The kids helped with farm work between tours.

Baron Georg Never Saw Their Dream Fully Realized

Georg died in 1947 at age 67 from lung cancer, just five years after buying the Vermont property. Maria showed she could run a business as well as lead the family.

He lived long enough to see his family safely settled in America but missed seeing their home grow into a business.

After he died, Maria took over family matters. The Trapp Family Singers kept performing until 1957, visiting more than 30 countries.

Maria Turned Their Home Into a Mountain Lodge

In 1950, Maria opened their home as a 27-room ski lodge when the family stopped touring. Guests came to enjoy Austrian hospitality in Vermont.

Maria ran the lodge while teaching guests Austrian dances, songs, and customs. She cooked Austrian foods and made everyone feel welcome.

The business grew through the 1950s and 1960s as skiing got more popular in Vermont.

"The Sound of Music" Made Them World Famous

Maria sold their story rights to German filmmakers in the 1950s, leading to two German movies.

American director Vincent J.Donehue saw these films and thought Maria’s story would make a great Broadway show for his friend Mary Martin.

“The Sound of Music” opened on Broadway in 1959, with Mary Martin playing Maria.

The 1965 movie with Julie Andrews became one of the most successful films ever, bringing worldwide attention to the real von Trapp family.

The Family Legacy Continues in Vermont Today

The Trapp Family Lodge remains family-owned and operated today. Johannes von Trapp, the youngest child born in America, ran the business for many years.

His son Sam now manages the resort, which spans 2,500 acres and includes the main lodge, villas, guest houses, and a brewery that makes Austrian-style lagers.

Visitors come from around the world to experience the von Trapp hospitality and learn about the family whose story inspired “The Sound of Music.”

Visiting Stowe Village, Vermont

You can visit the von Trapp family property at 700 Trapp Hill Road in Stowe to learn about their escape from Nazi Austria.

The grounds are free with a day pass for non-guests. You might even meet a von Trapp family member. The property also has Werner’s 1945 stone chapel and Vermont’s largest brewery.

Take the 1. 5-hour Family History Tour for $18 adults/$5 kids, which includes a documentary about Maria’s last Salzburg trip and cemetery visit.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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