Dudesleeper at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
If you’re not well-equipped in your musical theatre knowledge, you may not know that The Sound of Music is based on a true story. We say based, as there was plenty changed about the real von Trapps when compared to their film counterparts, but no one can deny the beauty and heart this musical continues to have even after 60 years.
If you can recall, The Sound of Music ends with the von Trapps finding their way into the Swiss mountains, fleeing from an occupied Austria and kidnapping attempts. And while this definitely made for good movie magic, the real story is a little more boring. The real life Von Trapps simply took a train to Italy before traveling to America, where they would spend the rest of their lives. They officially immigrated to America in 1942.
The Last von Trapp
Currently, only one von Trapp is still living. Johannes was one of the three children who were born to Georg and Maria. Johannes was born in Philadelphia in 1939 while the family was on a tour, and spent most of his life as a high-achieving academic.
He attended Canterbury prep school before graduating from Dartmouth and Yale, achieving a masters degree in Forestry. Today, he lives in Stowe, Vermont as the owner of the Trapp Family Lodge.
Johannes von Trapp is currently 86 years old.
The Trapp Family Lodge
This 2,600-acre lodge was von Trapp's home before the family transformed it into a space for guests. The original building had 27 rooms, before expanding to 47 rooms in 1968.
Sadly, the family faced another setback in 1980, after a massive fire burned the lodge to the ground. It was rebuilt in 1983, which remains to this day. The lodge currently has 96 rooms as well as 100 timeshare guesthouses, and is currently led by Kristina von Trapp, the daughter of Johannes.
While the lodge is well-loved for its history and story, its longstanding success is evident through the experiences it provides. If you choose to visit the resort, you're greeted with ski slopes, wagon rides, a maple syrup and cattle farm. The resort even has its own vegetable garden, bringing farm-to-table vibes to its dining menu.
The lodge also has a distinct "Austrian" feel to it, with pitched roofs and plenty of exposed wood. Not to mention that the lodge is also home to a Bierhall and a Kaffeehaus, featuring Austrian food and drink throughout. The lodge even makes its own beer, an Austrian-style lager.
Its location in Vermont is also reminiscent of Austria, looking out over sprawling mountain ranges peppered with red, orange, and green foliage. The lodge and its scenery is a perfect blend of old and new, while still maintaining an incredibly warm and cozy feel.
If you want to learn more about the story of the real von Trapps, or would like to take a peek at the family lodge, you can find their website here.
