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!!!    

Free Fun Fridays - 2014

It begins Friday, June 27th and ends on Friday, August 29th!  FREE FUN FRIDAYS!!!  Each Friday during that time period, there are 5 museums/ cultural venues with no admission fee!  It is a program sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation. (Click on their name for their info.)  This program is for residents of Massachusetts, tourists vacationing here & also visitors driving through my scenic state.  It's a great opportunity to spend a day at one of 66 interesting places with no general admission cost.  During the summer school children sleep a bit later in the AM!  No homework or papers are due the next day.  However, it's always a great idea to feed those inquiring minds!

There are so many FuN places to visit in Massachusetts!  So many are on this list.  Take a look at the schedule & click on a venue.  Click on the venue's website.       

The Franklin Park Zoo (my grandson's fave), Tanglewood, Plimoth Plantation, Springfield Museums (where I volunteer), the Boston Children's Museum, Historic Deerfield & Museum of Fine Arts, Boston are 7 of the 66 choices!  So many more wonderful places waiting for you, your families & your friends to visit.  Take this opportunity!  It's for children of all ages!

Here is the complete schedule.  Remember:  5 specific venues will be offered throughout Massachusetts to visit.  This occurs on Fridays!  Find your fave & spend some family time learning together!  Visit more than one!     

Thank you for your generosity,  

Highland Street Foundation!!!

We will enjoy!

 

Free Fun Fridays 2013!

It's offered Free of charge in Massachusetts!  It's Fun!  It's on Fridays during the summer!  Free Fun Fridays!

Again this summer the Highland Street Foundation very generously is offering FREE ADMISSION to 60 cultural and/ or historical venues throughout my state of Massachusetts.  The places to visit range from the countryside of Western Mass to the busy streets of Boston and include the salty air of the Cape (Cape Cod).  Click here for complete list. 

Families residing in or travelers vacationing or passing through Massachusetts are all welcome to choose from 6 venues each Friday.  Every Friday the venues change and are not repeated.  So many great places to visit!

June 28 is the first Friday! 

On the 1st Friday, 1 of the 6 places to visit is Heritage Museums & Gardens. Last summer my DH & I drove through Sandwich, MA on our return trip home after spending a few relaxing days at the Cape.  We stopped in to visit the Heritage Museums.  The Shaker style barn is fascinating and houses the antique cars.  Sitting in an antique car and also taking a ride on the carousel was FuN!   

Notice the Lantern Headlights!

On another Friday in August visit the Springfield Museums in Springfield.  There are 4 museums in this beautiful complex.  Works by Monet, Chardin and Bellows along with Currier & Ives prints are a few of the treasures on view in the Museum of Fine Arts.  Decorative Japanese Samurai Suits of Armour & beautiful Netsukes are displayed in the Victorian era Smith Museum.  View the Duryea and Knox cars and Indian "Motocycles" that are located in the Springfield History Museum.  A planetarium is located in the Science Museum along with other treasures.  I spend much time at the Springfield Museums during the school year in my role as a Museum Educator.  It's a wonderful place!            

"Horton Hears a Who" Bronze Sculpture at Springfield Museums

My Grandson totally enjoys the Franklin Park Zoo in Dorchester.  Kangaroos, Emus, Tigers & Zebras are some of his faves whenever he visits.  This zoo is where he learned the names of animals and how to pronounce their names.  A free visit awaits you in August!

This program ends on August 30 with 6 more great treasures to choose from.  The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge is great!  Located in the Berkshires, it's always picturesque driving down Main Street in the town.  Walking into one gallery, "Main Street (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas)" catches your eye!  Details everywhere!

"Main Street (Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas)"

If you have questions about this program, the Highland Street Foundation has a FAQ.  Click here for FAQ.

As we all plan activities for our families for summer days and if you live in, near to or will be traveling through Massachusetts, check out the list!  Learning while having FuN is the best way to learn!

Thank you Highland Street Foundation!          

We will Enjoy!

 

The Painted Lady

There's something new learned every day!  It's so true!  I've been enjoying the "Monarch Butterflies" as they gracefully fly in and then land on the vibrant colorful Zinnias that I planted late this spring - from seeds.  My Hubby & I have noticed that the center of the butterflies are not as vibrant as we believed they usually are.  That prompted him to send an e-mail to Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in South Deerfield, MA inquiring why this was the case.  The very kind folks at this very popular tourist destination located about an hour north of us sent back the explanation. 

The butterflies that are enjoying our gardens filled with brightly colored flowers, perhaps as much as we do, are not Monarchs.  They are Painted Lady Butterflies.  The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) looks very similar to a Monarch Butterfly, but the thorax and abdomen are paler in color.

Comparison Chart

The Internet is great!  So often when an answer or method of doing something specific is needed, it is only a click or two away.  And... I see 3-4 Vanessa cardui stopping in for a visit!  :)

Enjoy!