Gardens in the Berkshires

                                                                                         

The Berkshires, America’s premier cultural resort, covers Massachusetts’ western region. The region’s fertile lands, sparkling waters and panoramas of thick forests and scenic mountains attract travelers seeking inspiration and rejuvenation. One such visitor was Norman Rockwell who lived here for his last 25 years. Many of the faces in his illustrations were drawn from the community. The largest collection of his work and his studio are housed at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas” is a celebration of the famous painting that took him 11 years to complete. The Dec. 2-4 event includes a house tour and a recreation of the painting.

Chesterwood, the home and studio of Daniel Chester French, is just two miles from the Rockwell Museum. Sculptor Daniel Chester French considered Chesterwood to be the best place to live. He designed and maintained his own gardens and was often seen trimming his bushes and tending to his gardens. His most famous sculpture is the seated Abraham Lincoln, in Washington, DC.

The Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge, began operating in 1934. Collections are displayed in an informal, country setting. Groups can participate in “hands-on” workshops. In contrast, the Mission House on Main Street, Stockbridge, built in 1739 by Reverend John Sargent, is surrounded by examples of Colonial gardening. One garden features a colonial-style dooryard garden of circular brick paths. A kitchen garden contains 100 plants that had culinary or medicinal value to early colonists.

Another Stockbridge site offers beautiful vistas of the Berkshires. The Shrine of Divine Mercy sits atop “Eden Hill,” once a Gilded Age estate. The Shrine welcomes groups for tours of the chapel and grounds. In Lenox, visitors will see more examples from the Gilded Age. One of the finest examples is The Mount, Edith Wharton’s estate and gardens. Wharton delighted in her gardens. Although she is the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, she declared, “Decidedly, I’m a better landscape gardener than a novelist.”

Valerie Locher, Horticulturalists, Inc. offers step-on guide service that includes private garden tours and talks, tailored for any would-be gardener. Valerie boasts of over 30 years of experience. The Red Lion Inn on Main Street, Stockbridge, decorates its exterior with abundant baskets of flowers, including their “Courtyard,” where groups can dine “alfresco.” The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pittsfield, opens its doors to a picturesque fountain surrounded by a garden of flowers. The Comfort Inn & Suites, Great Barrington, the newest hotel in the Berkshires, provides an indoor pool/ spa for weary travelers. It is ideally located for access to local festivals.

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