Hello to all, first time on this forum.
My wife and I are planning a ski trip to Lenox, Mass. in December and we actually would prefer to go siteseeing to skiing. Lenox is on the western part of the state. The kinds of places we are interested in are anything historical. I especially like interesting residential architecture and unique furniture found in upper-scale older homes. Hope someone can help. I don’t think I’ll get the best advice from the visitor’s bureau!
Replies
http://www.old-deerfield.org
Ruth Dobsevage
Taunton New Media
Thanks for the link, Ruth.
Hi Rocky, Be sure to check out "Old Sturbridge Villiage" in Sturbridge Mass. it is one of my favorite places to visit. A working recreation of the 1700 &1800 time period. Plan on spending at leat a day there. Plenty of woodworking, and other crafts being performed.
Thanks, Mel. That sounds great!
Mel,
Sturbridge Villege is about a 1:45 to 2:00 hour drive east of Lenox along the Mass Turnpike.
ASK
http://www.hancockshakervillage.org/
I would definitely make the time to go to Historic Deerfield. Take the tour(s) of the homes there. The staff is extremely helpful and will concentrate on the aspects of the furnishings in which you are most interested. But please don't touch....they don't like that at all (DAMHIKT)
TomS
Rocky,
Everything that has been mentioned is terrific. Lenox is on route 7, I believe, which is one of the prettiest most interesting roads you'll ever find. Going from north of Danbury, CT up through MA and into VT or NH is just a wealth of History that'll knock your socks off. There are an enormous number of historical sights...it's a religion up here...
Thanks BG, coming from the south this will be new territory for me, and the info I am getting is just what I was looking for!
Thanks, Tom.
greetings from a transplanted bay stater. the hancock village site says that from late Oct. to MEM. day they are open 10 till 3. i am sure you would be pleased to spend some time there. the posts that suggest old sturbridge are right on also / beautiful place for one that enjoys the colonial. enjoy your trip. bob
Rocky,
Do a google search for Berkshires or Great Barrington. There is a wealth of information and web sites for the Berkshires. You should be aware however that a lot of the "historic" sites close down for the winter on Oct 31.
You can also pick up a visitors guide called the "Berkshire Guide" which is available in almost retail establishment in the county.
There is a Berkshires woodworkers association but I don't know where to find them.
There are two very good museums in Williamstown and the Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge.
Hope this was helpful.
ASK
Thanks for the heads up on the winter closings. I will be seriously disappointed if the best places are closed.
Rocky,
The Hancock Shaker Village in the Northwest corner of the state is a must see if you're interested in Shaker furniture.
John W.
JohnW,
Hancock Shaker Villege, of course, I forgot about it.
It's at the intersection of Route 20 and 41 about 5 miles west of Pittsfield, Ma
Also, the villege of Housatonic, in the north west part of the town of Great Barrington, has some woodworkers in some converted old factory buildings.
The Berkshires probably have more antique dealers per square mile than any county in the country. Many sell furniture.
ASK
Thanks JohnW. I would like to see the Shaker influences.
If you like Norman Rockwell, the Museum of his work is excellent. North Hampton is a funky little town just a little North East of Lenox which might be a nice place to have dinner.
Thanks, that is actually a big part of the plan.
If you are up to a little traveling around that area, check into the following sites: The baseball Hall of fame in Cooperstown, Ny, The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA, Beautiful countryside and wine making at The Finger lakes region, NY, and Elmira, NY where Mark Twain used to summer and write. My wife and I hit all these places on one vacation years ago and had a blast.Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.-Mark Twain
That sounds good too. Sad thing is we used to live within 45 minutes from the Football Hall of Fame for 2 1/2 years and I never got there!
If you want to wander further afield - Mystic Seaport, and , and, and, damn I can't think - Peabody, that's it. The Peabody Museum in Salem.
I am open to all ideas, Ed. Thanks alot.
In Stockbridge is also the Red Lion Inn, just a few doors down from the Rockwell Museum. Worth seeing in its own right (it's been there 200 years!) the folks at the desk can also make suggestions. Also, if possible, you might want to take a look at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a beautiful facility.
TANGLEWOOD, the summer retreat for The Boston SymphonyOrchestra is located in Lennox Mass.
Aside from the most beautiful natural landscape and georgeus ancient shade trees, (Tangled limbs)
They hold evening concerts featuring excellent Classical and pop music and world renown conductors Come early and bring a picnic lunch AND evening Wine and cheese.
Most music lovers ,(and plain lovers ) spend the whole afternoon and evening on beach blankets beneath the stars.
Take your 'Main Squeeze' and a bit of Brie and Bubbly. Oh! yes, and Foigras Bed and breakfasts abound as well as beautiful old homes. Stein.
Not sure what part of the country your are from Rocky but you may want to remember to bring your woolies. it can get prety cold in December.
Ron H
Yeah, although I've been living in Alabama for 3 years now, I am a lifelong Chicago native and still have some of those clothes in the closet somewhere!
Rocky,
If your Italian and from Chicago...stay the hell away from the North End of Boston. Everytime I organized a trip for one of my Italian Doctor friends from Chicago they would go to the North End and never leave. In your case, with the North Bennet Street School there also..if your Italian...it could be a disaster...
I would love to check out the North Bennett Street School. How far is that from the Lenox area, anyway? Incidentally, I am Greek with a whole lot of other things in me too. No Italian though. "Rocky" just happened to be my dad's favorite nickname.
Rocky,
Boston's North End is about 2-2.5 hours. It's a lot to try an accomplish in one trip...unless your staying a week. You could head to Boston and catch Sturbridge Village about an 1.25 hours away...stop at the Wayside Inn in Wayland, MA for lunch (longfellows old haunt) and be in Boston for the afternoon. You might be able to squeese in Concord...you wife would love that...Little Woman House, Emerson, Walden's Pond...as i said before, it's a religion here...
If Boston's only 2-3 hours away then we're going. Do you know if North Bennett Street School allows visitors? Also, how is the traffic? I know, silly question.
Rocky,
Correct, silly question about the traffic. You should contact NBSS yourself and see what's available. I'd bet they would accomodate....especially is you expressed interest in attending one of the workshops...
You'll probably need to park and walk up to the school....dangerous, too many restrauants to walk by...remember the Greeks taught the Italians how to cook.
Did you mention 'Little Woman' to your wife yet....(I'm gonna get you in so much trouble)
Just don't plan on parking even remotely close to the NBSS... That many more eating establishments to pass by. Temptation after temptation. You might never make it. ;-)
Thanks for the advice. I think I will contact them. It never occured to me they may have workshops. And the only food I like more than Italian is Greek, so if there are any Greek restaurants around, well, looks like I might as well get a hotel room there for the night!
Also, "Little Woman" does not bother my wife. In fact very little does. She's well aware who the boss is around here. So if you all will excuse me I need to go start on dinner before she gets home!
The Great Barrington area and the part of Connecticutt near Litchfield, both fairly close to Lenox, are home to some of the best antique dealers, many of which have breathtaking period furniture. Try The Magazine Antiques for listings. See:
http://www.themagazineantiques.com/
Have a great time.
Stephen J. Gaal
Rocky, When my oldest son attended M I T, (In Cambridge) my wife and I dined at some of the nicest seafood resturants in "Beantown'
If you're ever in boston, czech out LEGAL SEAFOOD There are several in Boston. Also visit Faleuill Hall and Haymarket for Good eats.
If you're driving, leave the car (Pronunced, Khaar) at your hotel/motel and 'Hoof it' or take the trolley/train. I think it's called the green line?
Visit HARVARD SQUARE (Pronounced, Havid Squa-err) and sample the cusine and sights and characters from the various colleges and universitys. I guarantee you'll go home with a Yankee accent.
Keep your radio tuned to NPR and listen to Car Talk on weekends 10 am to 11. also 12 AM to 1pm (Brought to you by the 'Tappet brothers, Klick and Clack.) Stein.
Sounds like I'm gaining some weight on this trip!
Rocky, if your travels take you through Connecticut, you and your wife should spend about one hour in Wethersfield Ct.
It is juct a few miles south of Hartford and adjacent to RT I- 91
The section called OLD WETHERSFIELD (Founded 16??) has a plethora of beautiful old original homes /churches and treelined avenues to die for.
My own daughter who lives and works in North New Jersey,(God's other country) is determined to buy a home in Old Wethersfield even before she 'Hits the lottery'
The area near Wethersfield cove is idylic and the cove itself accomodates all manner of small water craft.
Seasonally. you'll find antique and craft fairs, potluck suppers/ and Christmas/ Halloween/ Thanksgiving holiday events and the fall folliage is SPECTACTULAR Tarry a while and take along your camera. Stein.
Edited 11/20/2003 11:46:14 PM ET by steinmetz
Edited 11/21/2003 7:13:53 PM ET by steinmetz
"Old Sturbridge Village" is definitely cool. I liked it much better than Williamsburg in VA. Seemed less polished, more of what life was probably like. If you can make it to the coast, Plymouth Plantation in Plymouth, Ma. is a recreation of the Pilgrims life and times, a complete village with actors playing the parts of the town folk, you are allowed to wander around and "meet the locals" and see what life was really like. Very eye opening!
Mystic, CT. is another favorite. Quaint, would remind you of "Amity" in the movie JAWS. If you make it to Mystic, find "Old Mystic" in that part of town there are the old sea captains homes, a magnificent Baptist Church that over looks the town, grab lunch at "Mystic Pizza", but save room for dinner at "The Daniel Packer Inn" or the "Seamans' Inn" (order the clam chowder!). Spend the night at "The Whaler".
Good Luck!
John
Then, of course, there is Newport, RI, and all the "cottages" LOL along the coast.
Be forwarned, as has been mentioned, that places like Mystic, Plimouth (not high on my list, but you might well like it, Old Sturbridge, etc, may be on a reduced program schedule in the winter. I know Mystic was last winter.
But there's still plenty to see.
While in RI, if your brave, take the Ferry to B.I. (Block Island)! Finn's, for lobster!
John
In case it comes up, the subway system in Boston has several lines that go in different directions. They're designated Green, Red, Blue, Orange...The Green Line does terminate in the North End and North Bennett street would not be a long walk. Please note: another spur of the Green Line terminates in Government Center, not really close enough to the North End to walk there. Just trying to save you some confusion: pay close attention to the big system maps that are up on every subway platform!
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