Don’t Miss Out on the Berkshires Right Now!

Here at Brook Farm Inn we’re ideally located for enjoying all the Berkshires offerings, so don’t miss out right now and through December!

Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum, November 16 – December 5

It’s an annual favorite at the museum in nearby Pittsfield. See the creativity of organizations, businesses and schools who’ve decorated trees to fit this year’s theme, “Heroes!”

Another ongoing exhibit is “She Shapes History” as we enter 2020, the hundreth anniversary of the passage of women’s suffrage in the U.S.

The Mount, home of Edith Wharton

It’s right here in Lenox! Tours are Saturdays and Sundays 10:45 – 4:00, on the hour. See the stunning home and property of this iconic American author.

Special Holiday House Tours take place November 23 – January 5. Don’t miss out!

Winter Lights at Naumkeag, November 22 – December 29

In Stockbridge, the historic mansion hosts a bigger and better holiday exhibit. It’s magical! Don’t miss out!

A Christmas Carol at the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield

Don’t miss out! This holiday favorite is performed December 7 through 21, 2019.

A Christmas Carol at the Colonial Theatre

“The Nutcracker” at Barrington Stage Co.

See the holiday favorite performed by Albany Berkshire Ballet, December 7 and 8. Don’t miss it!

Stockbridge Main Street At Christmas, December 6 through 8

Norman Rockwell made Stockbridge famous by his painting of the town during the holidays. Celebrate with activities all weekend long, and experience Main Street as Norman Rockwell pictured it.

Shakespeare & Co Presents “Sense & Sensibility”

It’s around the corner from Brook Farm Inn. See a playful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel, December 14 and 15. Don’t miss it!

Bach at New Year’s, at Great Barrington’s Mahaiwe Theater

Ring in the New Year with a concert on December 31st, from 6 – 9 p.m. It’s another annual favorite. Then return to a cozy room at Brook Farm Inn and enjoy our Champagne Brunch on January 1st.

Posted in: Attractions, Events, Things to Do
Tags: Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Theatre Group, Naumkeag, Norman Rockwell, Stockbridge Christmas

Explore Chesterwood – Estate of Daniel Chester French

Chesterwood, in Glendale, near Stockbridge, MA, is the country home, studio, and gardens of Daniel Chester French (1850-1931). The 122 acre estate is now a fabulous house museum and sculpture garden here in the Berkshires.

Daniel Chester French was one of the country’s foremost public sculptors. If you’re not sure who French is, just conjure up an image of the seated Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. That’s the work of Daniel Chester French. Other iconic sculptures of his include Concord’s The Minute Man, and the Dupont Circle Fountain in Washington, DC.

Chesterwood was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors will definitely enjoy exploring the estate. You’ll see the Daniel Chester French residence, studio, barn, gardens, and gift shop. (more…)

Posted in: Attractions
Tags: Berkshires B&B, Chesterwood Lodging, Daniel Chester French, Edith Wharton’s The Mount, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Lenox B&B, Lincoln Memorial, Naumkeag, Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood, The Minute Man

Step Into Another World: The Historic House Museums of the Berkshires

Spring has sprung! Though there can still be a bit of a nip in the air, the sun is out, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming! Now is the perfect time to visit the historic house museums of the Berkshires!

The Berkshires have so much to offer: scenery, history, culture, shopping, dining, and more. Once the weather begins to warm, it can be hard to choose what to do and see first! We often suggest one or more of the many historic house museums of the Berkshires. Many of them reopen their doors in May, so now is a great time to see them freshened up after winter.

Visiting the homes of authors, artists, statesmen, or those simply very well off can be quite interesting and instructive. The opportunity to walk the same floors and fields a famous person once did can do more than just show you how they lived. Visiting a historic home may also provide insight into what drove, inspired, or otherwise influenced the lives of these fascinating people.

The Berkshires have a great many historic house museums that you can visit and explore. In fact, five of the best house museums are within ten minutes of our Berkshires B&B. One is right down the street!

Berkshires Historic House Museums

Freylinghuysen Morris Home and Studio
92 Hawthorne Street, Lenox
The Bauhaus-inspired Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio in Lenox is a historic house museum of American Abstract Artists George L.K. Morris and Suzy Frelinghuysen. You’ll see the artists’ original furnishings, collected art, unique home, and 46 acre estate.
www.frelinghuysen.org

Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
104 Walker Street, Lenox
Ventfort Hall is a Jacobean-style mansion and museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also used as a set in the 1999 film, Cider House Rules. Visit for tours of the estate or attend one of their many events: concerts, lectures, tea socials, and more.
gildedage.org

The Mount – Edith Wharton’s Home
2 Plunkett St, Lenox
Come tour the magnificently restored estate & gardens of author, Edith Wharton! The Mount, house and grounds, was designed by Edith Wharton. Fascinating and beautiful.
www.edithwharton.org

Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge
This Gilded Age mansion is the former country estate of noted New York City lawyer Joseph Hodges Choate. The stunning home is filled with original furnishings and art and surrounded by ten acres of iconic gardens.
http://www.thetrustees.org

Herman Melville’s Arrowhead
780 Holmes Road, Pittsfield
Arrowhead was the home of American author Herman Melville during his most productive years, 1850–1863. Yep – this 18th century farmhouse is where Melville wrote Moby Dick! Visitors will enjoy guided tours, the museum shop and more.
www.mobydick.org

Brook Farm Inn
15 Hawthorne St, Lenox
Our Victorian home here in western Massachusetts may not be a house museum but it is a historic Berkshires treasure! Accommodations include 15 guest rooms and a carriage house surrounded by trees and award-winning gardens. You’ll feel serene and secluded at our Berkshires B&B but, as shown above, the best of the Berkshires are at your fingertips! Book your stay at Brook Farm Inn today!

Posted in: Attractions
Tags: Edith Wharton, Freylinghuysen Morris Home and Studio, Herman Melville's Arrowhead, Naumkeag, The Mount, Ventfort Hall

5 of the Coolest Cultural Attractions in the Town of Stockbridge, MA

Just 10 minutes away from Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, MA, lies the Town of Stockbridge, MA. This quaint Berkshires retreat offers a great cultural hub amidst the Town of Lenox, MA, the Town of Lee, MA, the Town of West Stockbridge, MA, and the Town of Great Barrington, MA. Within its boundaries are some of the most notable attractions of the Berkshires. You will discover fine art, enjoy entertaining theatre, and experience some slices of history. The Town of Stockbridge, MA is a wonderful place to visit during your stay at Brook Farm Inn! Here are just a few of the cultural attractions you will be able to explore.

Find out more about all of the fun things to do near the Town of Stockbridge, MA when you download our free Vacation Guide. It’s full of the best recommendations for things to see and do in all of the Berkshires!

Berkshire Theatre Group

The Berkshire Theatre Group has a Town of Stockbridge, MA campus on East Main Street that features some wonderful local entertainment throughout the year. Theatre, music, and comedy are a few genres you will find at the Berkshire Theatre Group’s many stages. You can also schedule a tour of the historic colonial theatre if you’re looking for a taste of the past along with your event of choice.

Chesterwood

In the Town of Stockbridge, MA, you will also discover the charming, historic Chesterwood. This country home, studio, and gardens once belonged to America’s foremost public sculptor, Daniel Chester French. When you visit, you will be able to explore the history of this famous artistic figure. However, that is not all you will discover. Now, the exquisite property is a wedding venue, as well as a host of numerous art exhibitions and collections. There is also a wonderful artists-in-residence program, which premieres a new artist each month.

Mission House

For another aspect of history in the Town of Stockbridge, MA, make a visit to the Mission House. This colonial-era house and museum was once home to the first missionary to the Mohican Indians. The landmark provides a glimpse into both of these past cultures and offers self-guided garden tours and guided house tours by appointment. Gather your group of friends and discover some local history!

Norman Rockwell Museum

One of the most artistic attractions in the Town of Stockbridge, MA is the Norman Rockwell Museum in the Town of Stockbridge, MA. Norman Rockwell was one of the most influential illustrators and painters of our time, and much of his original work is featured in this museum. You will garner insight into both the life and art of Rockwell while scoping a variety of collections and exhibitions. He had a way of capturing a relationship during a moment in time; make your moments in the Berkshires last as well by holding onto these precious memories!

Naumkeag

The cultural attractions in the Town of Stockbridge, MA would not be complete without Naumkeag. This former estate of noted New York City lawyer Joseph Hodges Choate features Queen Anne-style architecture and some truly stunning features! This is a chosen wedding venue for its magnificent gardens and unique house with original artwork. Walk across the Blue Steps, a series of deep blue fountain pools, and marvel at the grove of white birches. This stunning landscape is one you don’t want to miss.

Stay at Brook Farm Inn

After touring some of these cultural attractions in the Town of Stockbridge, MA, come back home to Lenox’s Brook Farm Inn for a peaceful retreat. Enjoy our charming guest rooms, relaxing massage services, and delectable breakfast! We hope to see you soon here in the Berkshires. You can book your stay today!

Posted in: Attractions, Brook Farm Inn News
Tags: Berkshire Theatre Group, Chesterwood, Mission House, Naumkeag, Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge MA, Town of Stockbridge MA