Elizabeth Freeman, Ashley House, and Bartholomew’s Cobble
March 20, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
Elizabeth Freeman was the first enslaved African American to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts. You can learn more about her extraordinary story at historic Ashley House near Bartholomew’s Cobble, just a half hour south of Applegate Inn.
Elizabeth Freeman (c. 1744 – 1829), also known as “Mumbet,” was born into slavery around 1744 in Claverack, New York. At the age of 7, she was sent to Sheffield, MA and the house of John Ashley, who had married her master’s daughter.
In 1780, Freeman heard a reading of the newly ratified Massachusetts Constitution. Its statement that “all men are born free and equal” inspired her to fight for her freedom. In 1781, a Great Barrington jury agreed with her, making her the first African-American woman set free under the Massachusetts Constitution.
With a motion picture on Freeman’s life under development, her relatively unknown story is about to get a lot more notice. Until that time, one of the best ways to learn about her is to visit the Ashley House in Sheffield, MA.
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Berkshire Botanical Garden – Put a Little Spring In Your Step
March 6, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
What better way to welcome the arrival of spring than with a visit to Berkshire Botanical Garden? The annual Bulb Show is on right now – and the display gardens open soon – May 1st, 2020!
If you’ve never made a visit to Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG), you’re truly missing out. Even non-gardeners are wowed by the stunning display. 24 acres of meticulously groomed display gardens, walking paths, manicured lawns, and 3 greenhouses.
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Experience Hancock Shaker Village
February 8, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
Come experience the unique world of the Shakers at Hancock Shaker Village, established in 1774, in Pittsfield, MA.
Shakers are known primarily for their fine craftsmanship, plain furniture, and work ethic. The Christian sect formed in England around 1747 but left for New York in 1774 after years of religious persecution. The settlement at Hancock, established in 1780, was the third Shaker village to form in the new world.
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Valentine’s Day Berkshires Getaway Lodging Specials
January 23, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
Thinking of a Valentine’s Day Berkshires getaway, or maybe a spring fling is more your thing? Applegate Inn has you covered. Our selection of Berkshires lodging packages combine valuable perks with considerable savings for just this time of year!
Little that is more romantic than whisking that special someone off on a surprise getaway. Dinner and a movie is fine – but how about somewhere other than your home town? Refresh your romance and break out of that stale routine with a Berkshires getaway.
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Discover the Berkshire Museum
Art, Science & History
January 13, 2020 by Corey A. Edwards
If you’re looking for a fantastic way to spend an afternoon, The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA is it. The only art, history, and natural science museum in the Berkshires is home to a wide variety of exhibitions designed to fascinate just about anyone.
The museum has been a fixture in the Berkshires for over 100 years. It was founded in 1903 by Zenas Crane (1840-1917), third-generation owner of Crane & Company paper manufacturer. Crane, inspired by institutions like the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dreamed of combining the best of them here in the Berkshires. With the opening of the Berkshire Museum, Crane saw his dream come to life.
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Tanglewood 2020 – Summer Schedule Highlights
December 23, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Get set for a fantastic summer of music during Tanglewood 2020! Ringo Starr, Judy Collins, Trey Anastasio, Act III of Wagner’s Tannhäuser, Isaac Stern’s 100th birthday, the Empire Strikes Back, and so very much more. Tickets go on sale February 9th, 2020 so now is the time to begin formulating those summer plans.
With the Tanglewood Learning Institute open and presenting special events all year ’round, you wouldn’t think the summer schedule announcement would cause so big a stir. But you’d be wrong. The annual Tanglewood Summer Schedule is always highly anticipated in the Berkshires’ and well beyond. And no wonder. One look at any year’s schedule would tell you why and 2020 is not going to break the streak.
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Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas 2019
November 18, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Have you ever seen a painting that was so warm and welcoming that you wish you could step right into it? The chance exists at Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas 2019, the annual recreation of Norman Rockwell’s famous 1967 painting. December 6-7 in Stockbridge, MA.
Norman Rockwell may have been gone for over half a century, now but his body of stunning artwork continues to live on. One of his most iconic holiday images, “Home for Christmas,” depicts a quintessential, small New England town on Christmas Eve. Rockwell was living in Stockbridge, MA at the time and its Main Street served as both inspiration and a model for the painting.
Moving forward to today, very little of Stockbridge’s Main Street has changed since Rockwell copied it to canvas. Add in a few vintage cars and Christmas decorations you could be looking at a live version of the painting. What a great idea! So great, in fact, that that is exactly what has occurred every holiday season for the past 30 years.
This year’s event is just weeks away – and you’re invited!
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Don’t Miss Naumkeag Winterlights 2019!
November 11, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Get into the holiday spirit with a festive stroll through the Naumkeag gardens draped in a sparkling blanket of colorful holiday lights! Winterlights 2019 runs from November 21st to December 31st in Stockbridge, MA.
The historic, Gilded-Age “cottage” and grounds of the Naumkeag estate open seasonally between mid-April and early October. The museum and gardens are closed during the winter months with a few special exceptions. One of the most popular exceptions occurs during the holidays every year – Winterlights!
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Explore the Clark Art Institute
October 25, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
The Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, MA is considered one of the country’s foremost art museums. The stunning collection includes paintings, sculpture, decorative art, and works on paper from around the world and ranging from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century.
Though nearly an hour’s drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, the Clark Art Institute remains a worthy destination for fans of fine art. Few museums in the country can rival The Clark’s collection, which includes more than 6,000 works from some of the most important and celebrated artists in history. Dürer, Rodin, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Homer, Pissarro, Cassatt, Millet, Inness, and Singer Sargent, to name but a few.
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Halloween Fun at The Mount and Naumkeag
October 11, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
It’s October and don’t look now but All Hallows Eve is slowly creeping closer! If you’ve a taste for the spooky and are looking for some Berkshires Halloween fun, Edith Wharton’s The Mount and Naumkeag are great places to start.
Halloween is always a good time with “creepy” decorations, yummy treats, fun parties, and, of course, all the creative costumes. The holiday is supposed to be kind of scary but is really just a bunch of good, clean fun.
The Berkshires get into the spirit (boo!) every year with a wide variety of Halloween related celebrations for both young and old. If that sounds like your cup of tea … or arsenic … read on.
Ghost Tours and Stories at The Mount
Edith Wharton (1832-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. “The Age of Innocence,” “Ethan Frome,” and “The House of Mirth,” are but a few titles of the more than 40 she authored in as many years. She designed The Mount, now a historic site dedicated to her life and writings, to be her home and writer’s retreat.
Along with her more famous works, Wharton penned a number of ghost stories. Though she claimed to not to believe in ghosts, the author also stated that she feared them and admitted to sometimes sleeping with the lights on. Come experience some of those same thrills and chills with Ghost Tours at The Mount!
Mount Ghost Tours are two-hour, guided experiences that take you to the spookiest and most haunted parts of the estate. A great many people have lived at The Mount since its construction in 1902. If ghosts do exist, certainly some will be hanging around this historic site!
The tours include around a half-mile walk with some areas not suitable for wheelchairs or children under 12. Attendees should wear warm clothes and sensible shoes. Costumes are encouraged. Those who do so may enter the costume contest.
A selection of Wharton’s ghost stories will be presented on October 30th.
The Mount 2019 Halloween Schedule
Ghost Tours
Fridays, September through October, 5:45pm and 7pm
Saturday, October 19 and 26, 5:45pm and 7pm
Thursday, October 31st at 8pm and 10pm
Edith Wharton’s Ghost Stories
Wednesday, October 30th, 5pm to 6pm
Edith Wharton’s The Mount
2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, Massachusetts 01240-0974
Space is limited, so please reserve ahead of time: www.edithwharton.org
A Naumkeag Halloween
Naumkeag is a National Historic Landmark and one of the Berkshires’ original gilded-age cottages. The house and grounds are open from mid-April to early October every year and are very much worth your time.
Though “closed for the season” by the time Halloween rolls around, Naumkeag reopens its doors for this spooky holiday. Come see the more then 400 jack-o-lanterns and over 1000 pumpkins and gourds, along with a variety of special events, at Naumkeag!
Naumkeag 2019 Halloween Schedule
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show – October 10-13, 17 18-20, 24, and 27
The Pumpkin Trail – October 11 and 12
Mind-reading by mentalist Keith Zalinger – October 13
Live Action Clue – October 18 and 19
Haunted House – October 25 an 26
Seance/Spirit Message Circle – October 27
All-Ages Trick-or-Treat at Naumkeag – October 31
If you missed all the Halloween fun, don’t despair – Winterlights is coming right up, November 22nd and through December 31, 2019!
Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Visit www.thetrustees.org to learn more about these and other upcoming events.
Berkshires Lodging
Both Naumkeag and The Mount are less than 10 minutes drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, Applegate Inn in Lee, MA! In fact, our centrally located Berkshires inn puts the best of the region at your fingertips. Choose from eleven beautifully appointed suites, complete with private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs. Applegate Inn is your ticket to relaxation and service in the Berkshires!
October is Peak Color Month for Berkshires Fall Foliage
September 23, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
If you’re a “leaf-peeper,” or just a fan of stunning scenery, October is the peak month for viewing Berkshires fall foliage in western Massachusetts. Make plans to visit now, while the everchanging rainbow of autumn leaves is still up in the trees.
There is never a bad time to visit the Berkshires of Western MA but, when it comes to colorful views, you could pick a worse time than Autumn. The leaf-peeping season begins here in late September and tends to peak during mid-October, around Columbus Day weekend. That’s when our always picturesque landscape bursts to life with color. Reds, golds, oranges, browns, greens and all the tones in between.
Lucky for you, Applegate Inn is right in the middle of some of the area’s most gorgeous country. That’s the thing about the Berkshires. You don’t have to go anywhere to find beautiful fall foliage – it’s all around you!
If you’re up for a drive, however, the area offers endless possibilities.
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Lenox Apple Squeeze 2019 – the 40th Annual Return!
September 9, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Lenox Apple Squeeze 2019 is just weeks away on September 21st and 22nd in Lenox, MA. The beloved, annual Berkshires harvest festival always includes great food, live music, craft vendors, and so much more.
2019 marks the 40th anniversary of Lenox Apple Squeeze. The FREE, 2-day harvest celebration and street festival includes nearly 150 food, craft, and local business vendors spread throughout downtown Lenox.
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Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon 2019
August 12, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Come compete or spectate at one of the oldest continuous, annual triathlons in the country during Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon 2019! Sunday, September 15, 2019 – Great Barrington to Stockbridge, MA.
The Josh Billings RunAground is a bike/paddle/run triathlon, as opposed to the more common bike/swim/run event. The race involves a 27 mile bike ride, a 5 mile canoe/kayak/SUP leg, and a 6 mile run. The event was first held in 1976 and has been a Berkshires tradition ever since.
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Explore Greylock Glen Outdoor Recreation Area
July 29, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
For those considering a visit to the Mount Greylock area during their stay, we suggest a stop by Greylock Glen, a new kind of outdoor recreation area in Adams, MA.
Mount Greylock is Massachusetts’ highest peak, with a summit of 3489 feet. The eye-popping vista from this point can reach as far as 90 miles away. The summit is an understandably popular destination, reachable by car in less than an hour from our Lee MA inn.
Greylock Glen is a 1,063 acre parcel of land just east of Mount Greylock. The acreage has seen a variety of development projects over the last decade or so but none successful – and none like this.
A Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Area
Where previous plans seemed in conflict with the natural environment, Greylock Glen is actively working with nature to minimize its impact.
Over 1,000 acres of the Glen will remain undeveloped. Plans for lodging, recreation, and education facilities will use up about half of the remaining acres. These plans incorporate green building designs, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable operating plans.
Outdoor Recreation at the Glen
An extensive trail system connects Greylock Glen directly to Mount Greylock State Reservation. Learn more about trails at the Glen.
The reserve offers a wide range of hiking, biking, and picnicking opportunities. Birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to remember their binoculars and cameras.
In the colder months, Greylock is a popular destination for ice skaters, snowshoers, skiers, and snowboarders.
There’s simply no end of things to do at Greylock Glen, whether you’re looking for a real workout or just a pleasant outing.
More Than Just Trails
Plans for a future Outdoor Center detail a net-zero building with classrooms, a retail outdoor gear shop, and a cafe. The Amphitheater will host concerts, plays, festivals, and many other exciting cultural events.
Greylock Glen already hosts a growing number of annual events. These include the popular, fall foliage Greylock Ramble, the Thunderbolt Ski Race, M.A.G.I.Con, and much more.
Greylock Glen
Gould Rd, Adams, MA 01220
Learn more at the Greylock Glen website.
Nearby Adams MA is also worth your attention.
Adams is a picturesque valley town with many historic Victorian homes and buildings downtown. It is home to the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, the East Hoosuck Quaker Meeting House, the Thunderbolt Ski Museum, among other points of interest.
Berkshires Lodging
After a day of exploring the natural beauty of the Glen, you’ll be glad you’re headed back to the comforts of your room at our Berkshires bed and breakfast. Our inn is a Select Registry property offering luxurious accommodations including private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs to soothe away any aches and pains. Applegate Inn is a Gilded Age inn ensconced on 6 park-like acres located just a half mile’s walk from historic downtown Lee. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today.
Greenock Country Club – It’s Just Across the Road!
June 21, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Greenock Country Club is one of America’s first golf courses. The club features a classic, 9-hole, Donald Ross designed course, clay tennis courts, a restaurant, and more. Plus it’s literally just across the road from our Berkshires bed and breakfast!
We’ve mentioned the convenience of our Lee, MA location before. So much of what brings people to the Berkshires is very easily accessed from Applegate Inn: Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Clark Art Institute, Mass MOCA, and so much more.
But … did you realize our Berkshires B&B is just across the road from golf, tennis, and more?
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Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019
May 10, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Spring is whipping by and, before you know it, summer will be here, along with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019! This year’s event is scheduled to run from June 19th through August 25th, 2019.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival has been bringing talented performers and amazed fans of dance to the Berkshires for 87 years. Despite its age, America’s longest-running international dance festival shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, 2018 was one of the festival’s biggest and most popular years and this year’s event is looking just as exciting.
Highlights for Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019 include world and U.S. premieres, new commissions, anniversary celebrations, and exclusive engagements. This year’s festival features a number of artists from around the world, including Cuba, Australia, France, and Canada.
2019 Dance Festival Special Events
Opening Gala & After Party – June 15
The opening gala features one-night only performances, auctions, and dinner on the Great Lawn. The After Party includes an open bar, delicious treats, and dancing into the night with the Silver Arrow Band!
All Styles Dance Party – June 30
Witness the spectacle of an all-styles dance battle between festival artists, School at Jacob’s Pillow students, and area dancers. What fun!
Pillow Pride – August 2-4
The Dance Festival’s annual LGBTQIA+ celebration is one of the most popular dance parties of the summer. This year’s event will be hosted by Tyler Ashley, The Dauphine of Bushwick, and includes exclusive tours and pop-up performances.
Gotta Dance – August 18
An evening showcase of choreography and improvisations created in just three weeks by tap students from The School at Jacob’s Pillow.
Summer Send-Off – August 24
Celebrate a fabulous Festival season with this epic, final dance party of the season on the Pillow’s Great Lawn!
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents more than 350 free performances, talks, exhibits, classes, and a variety of special events each year. The Jacob’s Pillow grounds are a National Historic Landmark. Tour the grounds, visit the School at Jacob’s Pillow, and enjoy a picnic on the lawn or a meal at an on-site restaurant.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019
June 19 though August 25
358 George Carter Rd, Becket, MA 01223
Visit www.jacobspillow.org for a schedule, tickets, and other information. You can also follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Berkshires Lodging
Planning on visiting the Berkshires for one or more Pillow Dance performances? Applegate Inn is just minutes away from Jacob’s Pillow! The convenient location, plush guest rooms, and history of unmatched service of our Berkshires bed and breakfast make us an excellent lodging choice. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!
Bash Bish Falls and Other Magnificent Berkshires Waterfalls
March 22, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Bash Bish Falls
Applegate Inn is just down the road from Massachusetts’ highest waterfall, Bash Bish Falls. In fact, we’re surrounded by magnificent Berkshires waterfalls and spring is the perfect time to visit them!
There’s nothing like an active waterfall to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit. The soothing sight and sound of water cascading down over rocks and crags to splash in a receiving pool below can be almost hypnotic.
There are well over 30 popular waterfalls in Berkshire County. They vary in size and accessibility but all tend at their peak with spring runoff this time of year.
All 5 Berkshires waterfalls listed below are well within a scenic hour’s drive of Applegate Inn, our Lee, MA bed and breakfast. In fact, most are an easy half-hour away.
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Enjoy Lee MA Chez Nous at
Applegate Inn!
May 6, 2016 by Corey A. Edwards
The only thing bad about a great restaurant is that its popularity can keep you from being able to get into it! Our own, favorite, fine and perpetually booked local restaurant, the Lee MA Chez Nous Bistro, has found a wonderful workaround for this with their new “to-go” Ordering System!
Chez Nous Bistro is easily one of the best restaurants here in the Berkshires and absolutely our favorite, serving French country classic dishes and offering an extensive wine list, all in a cozy, romantic setting. We regularly suggest them when our guests ask who we recommend but with the caveat that, even with their outside seating, they are very often booked solid, so get there early!
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