Friday, July 3, 2015

The Mount, Lenox, MA- Free Fun Friday

The Mount, Lenox MA
Last Friday we traveled west, west on the Mass Pike- I90 that is.  It was a visit to The Mount in  Lenox, MA.  This beautiful estate located in the Berkshires was designed by the American author Edith Wharton following the principles in the book The Decoration of Houses that she and architect Ogden Codman, Jr. coauthored.  This book was published in 1897 and this home was built by Edith Wharton & her husband Teddy in 1902.   Ethan Frome by Ms. Wharton was required reading for me in college.  I've always been aware of this author, but never visited her scenic home in Lenox.  Visiting this serene estate was offered as a Free Fun Friday event sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation.

What a treat to leisurely walk through her home and view the gorgeous gardens below.  The white Astilibe had begun to blossom in the geometric gardens.

View of a garden from Edith Wharton's home
The well manicured gardens were admired by all of the visitors who strolled through them.  Beautiful views from all sides and angles.  It's a gorgeous estate in the Berkshires designed by a woman who had lived during the Gilded Age in Newport, RI, and NYC.  After leaving her home in Lenox in 1911, Edith Wharton later divorced and moved to France.   

The white Astilibe were blossoming!
Last Friday was a very comfortable day to travel west & we are so happy we did!  An added surprise for me was walking into one room & viewing a treadle Singer Sewing Machine in cabinet.  My mom had a similar sewing machine in a similar cabinet.  It was her "go to" sewing machine for making buttonholes.  Her electric machine was used for everyday sewing.

Treadle Singer Sewing Machine in cabinet
Free Fun Fridays are offered by the Highland Street Foundation to everyone- all residents of MA, visitors to my state and also families traveling through MA.  Each Friday this summer there are 7 venues to visit with no regular admission charged.  Every week there are 7 different places to visit.  This program is for all ages.  Some venues are for families with young children and other places might not be interesting to children.  Click here for the list!

Thank you Highland Street Foundation!

Enjoy!



Have a Happy & Safe Fourth of July!!!    

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