Title: Innkeeper
Company: Prospect Street Writers House
Location: North Bennington, Vermont, United States
V. Hansmann, Innkeeper at Prospect Street Writers House, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Creative Writing and Hospitality.
Mr. Hansmann is lauded for his expertise and distinguished career, defined by reinvention, creativity and a commitment to fostering community among writers. Since 2022, he has served as an innkeeper at Prospect Street Writers House in North Bennington, Vermont, where he manages a year-round residency program exclusively for writers. Mr. Hansmann’s expertise in hosting has become widely recognized, praised for his ability to create welcoming environments that encourage creativity and camaraderie among writers.
The Prospect Street Writers House accommodates up to 12 residents, though Mr. Hansmann finds the experience most rewarding with six or seven individuals at a time. He is deeply involved in every aspect of the program while ensuring an inviting, dynamic and diverse atmosphere for residents that encourages networking and creative exchange.
Among various responsibilities, Mr. Hansmann is tasked with overseeing daily operations, handling correspondence, managing finances, maintaining the facility, implementing modest online marketing strategies and advertising in Post Writers magazine, and relying heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. He also attends annual conferences to promote the residency, though most new residents arrive through personal recommendations. Until recently, Mr. Hansmann personally prepared dinners for residents, creating opportunities for meaningful conversations over wine and food. He now entrusts culinary duties to others but continues to prioritize hospitality and connection.
A defining achievement in Mr. Hansmann’s career was the transformation of what was a dilapidated nursing home into what is now recognized as the Prospect Street Writers House. Pursuing his passion for architecture and design, he purchased and renovated the property. Retaining its Victorian façade while demolishing approximately 75% of the original structure, Mr. Hansmann completed the project in 2001.
Before his current role, Mr. Hansmann founded and led a monthly reading series in “Greenwich Village” from 2011 to 2021. This initiative provided a platform for writers to share their work publicly and fostered a literary community in New York City’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Earlier, Mr. Hansmann spent over 35 years building a substantial career in finance as a wealth manager serving family offices between 1970 and 2008. Although this field offered him considerable freedom, he ultimately found it lacking in personal fulfillment, which motivated his transition into creative and community-focused endeavors.
Highly educated, Mr. Hansmann holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College, which was awarded in 1972. Years later, he earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Bennington College in 2011, which gave him both literary insight and practical skills essential to guiding writers-in-residence. Additionally, Mr. Hansmann completed coursework in accounting at the New York Institute of Finance, equipping him with financial acumen that supports his operational responsibilities.
Mr. Hansmann’s leadership has extended beyond his professional roles. He presently serves as the co-chair of the New York Metro Area Alumni Association at Hamilton College, demonstrating his commitment to building supportive networks.
Among his professional achievements, Mr. Hansmann was the recipient of an Architectural Award from the Vermont chapter of the American Institute of Architects for the innovative design and preservation of historical elements in the Prospect Street Writers House renovation. This milestone remains a source of pride.
Throughout his journey, Mr. Hansmann has attributed much of his success to patience, empathy and an innate curiosity about others and their motivations. He credits much of his growth to learning through experience rather than formal mentorship, believing that meaningful lessons often arise from mistakes rather than advice alone.
Mr. Hansmann values staying busy and remaining curious, qualities that have shaped both his personal philosophy and professional legacy. Looking ahead, he is dedicated to establishing Prospect Street Writers House on a solid financial footing, ensuring its continued success as a thriving haven for writers and creatives seeking inspiration and community.
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