Studio at Chesterwood

Chesterwood is the house & studio of Daniel Chester French, sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial.  It’s a 10-minute ride from Brook Farm Inn, and one of the treasures of the Berkshires.  You can tour the house and studio, stroll the gardens, and wander the wooded pathways.  A new outdoor contemporary sculpture exhibit has just opened there as well, and artists from the show will offer workshops and demonstrations on Sundays in July & August.

Glenora Richards  is a miniaturist who painted a sizzling miniature portrait of Edna St. Vincent Millay, which was adapted into a postage stamp.  At Steepletop (Millay’s home in the Berkshires), beginning June 16th you can view  an exhibit which explores the art of this amazing, 100- year old woman.  The exhibit will run through September, and will include some special materials from the Postal Service Archives in addition to the original painting, and recordings of Millay reading her own work.  At Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, we had the pleasure of hosting a reading of Millay’s work by Peter Bergman, Executive Director of the Millay Society.  We can’t wait to see the exhibit.

Peter Bergman reading Millay at Brook Farm Inn

Since no trip to the Berkshires is complete without visits to the Clark and Tanglewood, Brook Farm Inn in Lenox Massachusetts is glad to announce that the two venues have paired to offer the perfect package of art and music. For only $45 (a 25% savings) you can purchase two Clark admissions and two Tanglewood lawn tickets. Clark admission tickets are valid June 7 through September 7; Tanglewood lawn tickets are valid for all BSO and Boston Pops concerts (excludes Popular Artist Series).

 You may purchase ticket packages in any quantity – and it is easy, one stop shopping. Visit clarkart.edu or tanglewood.org or phone the Clark’s box office at 413 458 0524. 

 This summer the Clark presents Dove/O’Keeffe: Circles of Influence, an exhibition exploring the early abstract work of iconic American painter Georgia O’Keeffe and the great modernist painter Arthur Dove. O’Keeffe has long been the subject of fascination by critics and art lovers alike, and this exhibition (exclusive to the Clark) adds a new chapter to the ongoing interest in her work. Through the Seasons: Japanese Art in Nature will be presented in Stone Hill Center. Both exhibitions open on June 7.

 Also at the Clark are free summer band concerts on Tuesday evenings in July. In August you can enjoy a series of chamber music concerts on Tuesday evenings; purchase  your tickets early as the series sold out last summer. A robust schedule of lectures, films, and events completes an exciting summer at the Clark.

It’s spring!  This weekend, the Berkshires is a great destination for hiking during the day, and for enjoying restaurants and performances in the evening.  See Brook Farm Inn’s “Take A Hike” package.  It will be sunny, in the 50’s, perfect for being outdoors this weekend.  And in the evening on April 3rd, go to the Colonial Theatre for “Music and Dance of the Andes.”

Saturday, March 28, 4 PM

Four Millionaires and their Berkshire Mountains

Slide Lecture by Berkshire historian, author and columnist Bernard Drew.  Followed by Victorian Tea with the speaker.

The fascinating Gilded Age stories behind David Dudley Field Jr. of Stockbridge (Ice Glen and the north face of Monument Mountain), William C. Whitney of Lenox (October Mountain), Fred Pearson of Great Barrington (Bear Mountain and Austerlitz Ridge) and Arthur D. Budd of Windsor (Judge’s Hill and Notchview).

Here’s our new special, at Brook Farm Inn, Lenox Massachusetts.  It’s for the month of March.  If you stay for at least 2 nights, you’ll receive complimentary museum tickets.  Choose between the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Museum of the Gilded Age at Ventfort Hall.  These are among the premier attractions of the Berkshires.

Yay!! Something new and cool to do in March in the Berkshires!  Announcing the first annual Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts – over 60 events, 30 different venues, all month long, on weekends, weekdays – all different, something for everyone – and lots of good reasons  to come and stay in March.  Several events will be right here in Lenox, Massachusetts, around the corner from Brook Farm Inn.  See http://thewomenstimes.com for information. We’re planning to be at some of the events…they include exhibits, films, performances, music…see you there!

The story of Henri Toulouse -Lautrec and the Paris nightlife he mined for his art will be on view at the Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, MA, beginning this Sunday.  The exhibition is open until April 26, and at Brook Farm Inn, we can’t wait to go to the opening.  The Clark offers free admission this time of year, and it’s really worth the visit. The artist’s life reads like a movie script, and the works are arranged loosely by themes including early work, nightlife, celebrities, street life, and others. When you stay at Brook Farm Inn, we’ll give you directions to this and other Berkshires attractions, and make some restaurant suggestions as well. 

This Saturday, January 24th, visitors to Brook Farm Inn in Lenox Massachusetts will have the opportunity to attend the opening of “Race To the Top: Arctic Inspiration 1909 & Today.”  At this most unusual and exciting exhibit at the Berkshire Museum, you can learn what it was like to be the first to reach the top of the world. 2009 is the 100th anniversary of the expedition of Adm. Robert Peary & Matthew Henson. Special opening day events include ice carving, sled dogs, igloo making and a party.

We’ve had a lovely snowfall, and Brook Farm Inn looks like a Currier & Ives winter scene.  There’s just enough snow to rest on tree branches and look beautiful, also to provide perfect cross country skiing and snowshoeing — without jeopardizing travel.  The scene from our dining room is spectacular, especially since the bird feeder is visible there.  This morning there were a red-bellied woodpecker, a hairy woodpecker, and a pair of cardinals all at the same time.  The red, black and white of their plumage against the white snow scene was unforgettable.  Snowshoeing is terrifict at Pleasant Valley and cross country skiing is recommended at Kennedy Park or Canterbury Farm.  Come and enjoy it with us!