Brook Farm Inn, a Berkshires bed and breakfast, is really proud that the Berkshires have been ranked #7 by National Geographic Traveler magazine, out of 133 top vacation destinations in the world!  The ranking was based on  a number of criteria including historic preservation, sustainable tourism, food, and cultural integrity.  The bottom line is that the area, according to one expert, “seems to have the right balance of picturesque towns, arts offerings, and well-protected natural beauty.” At Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts, we couldn’t agree more.  We’re glad to help our friends and our guests become familiar with all the surroundings.

There’s still time to get tickets for some music performances this weekend!  On Friday, October 16th, there’s “I’m A Boomer Baby,” a musical tribute by Dan Riley, at the Colonial Theatre.  Also at the Colonial, on Sunday the 18th at 2:00, there will be a performance by the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra and the Williams Concert Choir, featuring works from movies and Mussorgky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  Also, this is the final weekend of the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival.  So there are choices for everyone’s musical taste, and it’s all within minutes of Brook Farm Inn, Lenox Massachusetts.

To us (Linda and Phil), owning Brook Farm Inn, in Lenox Massachusetts,  is more than running a business.  It’s also the maintaining  of  the building’s rich history. We researched the history of the inn through deeds, maps, and historical newspaper clippings (also very dusty ancient tax records in the basement of Town Hall), and the results of our search are posted on the website www.brookfarm.com/history.html.   So that’s how we were discovered by Michael Kraus, whose grandfather purchased the property in 1914. Michael’s grandfather was Charles Bleyman, who owned the property until the 1930’s.  Michael and his wife, Susan, stayed with us recently, and furnished  photos of Bleyman and other family members.   So watch for updates to be posted on the Brook Farm Inn’s  history page, and thank you, Michael!

“Zany” and “freewheeling” are two of the adjectives being used to describe Shakespeare & Co.’s new offering, opening tonight in Lenox, Massachusetts. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is, of course, based on the story by Arthur Conan Doyle.  Three actors play 16 characters, including Watson and Holmes.  At Brook Farm Inn, we’ve already purchased our tickets, as some of the guests have done as well, since you can walk to the theater from here.  The play runs through November 8th, and is a welcome attraction for the foliage season. We’ll tell more about it after we see the performance.

Sherlock Holmes (Sidney Paget, 1904)

Thanks to Marti Mayne, who posted a great article about the Lenox Tub Parade on the BedandBreakfast.com blog.  Here’s a link http://blog.bedandbreakfast.com/post/2009/08/31/A-Tub-Parade-in-Lenox-MA-Great-reason-to-schedule-fall-getaway-to-the-Berkshires.aspx#comment.

He may have left his heart in San Francisco, but the rest of him — incomparable singing style included — will make a rare Tanglewood appearance this Tuesday, July 21st.  Known as one of the world’s most beloved interpreters of the “Great American Songbook,” Bennett will share the Tanglewood stage with his band, starting at 8 PM.  See www.bso.org for more information.  At Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, there are still a couple of rooms available.

Paris 1890 – Unlaced!  is the title for Ventfort Hall’s summer theater.  Ventfort Hall, here in Lenox just a few minutes’ walk from Brook Farm Inn, is also known as the Museum of the Gilded Age.  This mansion is a great setting for the one-woman show, which provides a humorous yet poignant glimpse into Parisian society of the Belle Epoque.  Anne Undeland plays five different women, in an intriguing mystery.

At Brook Farm Inn (Lenox Massachusetts) the garden is getting lush and colorful.  Irises are open,  annuals are looking happy, and the pool is open as well. Guests this weekend enjoyed the hammock, too.

Barrington Stage Co., just 15 minutes from Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts, is offering a great deal for our spring and summer guests.