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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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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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!
Labor Day Lodging Special & Lee Founders Weekend 2019
August 26, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Happy Birthday Lee, MA! The home of Applegate Inn celebrates its 242nd birthday this year and you are invited! Lee Founders Weekend is scheduled for September 13th through the 15th, 2019. Come out and join in the fun with a parade, Taste of Lee, a Craft Fair, and so much more.
The end of summer always gets here too fast but it’s also such a beautiful time of year, here in the Berkshires. Soon the leaves will be changing color and the temps will begin to drop but for now it’s still warm and lovely with plenty to do and see.
It is just with this in mind that we offer our seasonal Berkshires lodging special:
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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.
From Rags to Riches at The Crane Museum of Papermaking
July 8, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
The Crane Museum of Papermaking may sound like a real yawner until you learn that Crane & Co not only make the paper for our country’s currency, they’re the only ones to do so since 1879!
As you likely know, United States currency is printed on a kind of fabric, not paper made from wood. It is made of recovered rags, known as rag paper: a combination of cloth and linen cloth. The resulting material is stronger, tougher, and feels better than wood-based paper.
You may have also noticed the red and blue fibers in the background of your U.S. bills. The very nature of rag paper makes it easier to add these and other kinds of security elements. Crane & Co are the only ones to have made this special paper for the United States for 140 years and counting.
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Tanglewood Learning Institute & The Linde Center for Music and Learning
June 10, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Over the last two summers, we’ve been watching as 4 new buildings were added to the Tanglewood Music Center campus. The new Linde Center for Music and Learning, summer home to the Tanglewood Learning Institute, opens June, 2019 with 140 summer events!
Tanglewood Music Festival heats up Berkshires summers like no other series of events. Now, thanks to the newly constructed Linde Center, the excitement can continue throughout the year. That’s because the new buildings are the first at Tanglewood with both heating and air conditioning, making the state-of-the-art facility truly all-season!
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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!
Get Your Tickets for Berkshire International Film Festival 2019!
May 4, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Grab your popcorn and head to your seat: Berkshire International Film Festival 2019 is coming right up. This year’s event features over 60 films and legendary director Martin Scorsese, among others. May 30th to June 2nd in Great Barrington, MA and May 31st to June 2nd in Pittsfield, MA.
The 14th annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) continues the tradition of bringing the best to the Berkshire screen. See the latest in independent features, documentaries, short films, and family films.
Along with all the films and eager fans, the festival also attracts big name filmmakers and industry professionals. They premier films, present talks, participate in seminars, and attend events and screenings.
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Spring Has Sprung at Berkshire Botanical Garden
April 13, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
The signs of spring are all around us right now: blossoms, birdsong, and the annual opening of the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Berkshire Botanical Garden is open all year ’round – but their display gardens are only open May 1st through October 11.
Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG), in Stockbridge, MA, is one of the oldest public display gardens in the Northeast. The garden’s meticulously groomed 15 acres include display gardens and walking trails throughout. Best of all, they’re just a little over 6 miles from the door of our Berkshires B&B.
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Come Ski the Berkshires of Western MA
January 21, 2019 by Corey A. Edwards
Thinking of enjoying a skiing getaway this winter? Great idea! Applegate Inn is conveniently close to many of the area’s best winter-sports resorts and has a variety of winter lodging specials to choose from. Come ski the Berkshires and save!
There’s nothing quite like a Berkshires skiing getaway. Whether you’re a fan of downhill, cross-country, or snowboarding, the Berkshires offer plenty of options. There are also great sledding spots, snowshoeing trails, and snowmobile tours! It’s a winter-sports wonderland!
Berkshires Lodging Specials
Applegate Inn makes it even easier to ski the Berkshires with our lodging specials!
We offer a mid-week Berkshires Skiing Special that gets you 2 ski lift tickets at Ski Butternut OR cross country skiing at Hilltop Orchards.
We’re also currently offering a Post-holiday Getaway Special that expires soon. A variety of other offers can be found on our Berkshires lodging specials and packages page. Be sure to check it out before you book your stay!
Ski the Berkshires of Western MA
As I said above, Applegate Inn is startlingly close to a great variety of Berkshires skiing opportunities. If you’re looking to ski the Berkshires, we’re well paced to be your base camp!
Cranwell Resort – www.cranwell.com
55 Lee Road, Lenox, MA – only 10 minutes from Applegate Inn. Though parts of the facility are currently undergoing renovation, skiing is still available.
Bousquet Mountain Ski Resort – www.bousquets.com
101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA – only 15 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Canterbury Farm Cross Country Skiing – www.canterbury-farms.com
1986 Fred Snow Road, Becket, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Ski Butternut – www.skibutternut.com
380 State Road, Route 23, Great Barrington, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Hilltop Orchards – www.hilltoporchards.com
508 Canaan Road, Route 295, Richmond, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Catamount Ski Area – www.catamountski.com
Route 23, South Egremont, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Maple Corner Farm – www.maplecornerfarm.com
794 Beech Hill Road, Granville, MA – only 40 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort – jiminypeak.com
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA – only 40 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Notchview – www.thetrustees.org
Old Route 9, Windsor, MA – only 45 minutes from Applegate Inn.
Berkshires Lodging
As you can see, ski options near our Berkshires B&B are plentiful. Take advantage of our lodging specials when you book your room and we’ll help get you out on the slopes for a fantastic winter getaway!
Applegate Inn’s New Year’s Eve Berkshires Lodging Special
December 10, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Ring in 2019 in style with a Berkshires getaway and save! Applegate Inn’s New Year’s Eve Berkshires Lodging Special is just our way of saying Happy New Year!
No matter the season, there’s always a reason to visit the Berkshires and our Select Registry inn makes an excellent home base from which to explore. We here at Applegate Inn pride ourselves in providing the very best in Berkshires lodging. Our New Year’s Eve lodging special is just one more part of that effort.
No matter how you plan to spend your New Year’s getaway – skiing, seeing a show, exploring the area – our lodging special will help to make it the best ever!
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Berkshire Museum Festival of Trees 2018 – Often Heard
November 17, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Berkshire Museum Festival of Trees 2018 – Often Heard opens today, November 17th, and runs through January 6th, 2019. Come see more than 100 dazzling Christmas trees, each decorated to depict a popular song.
The annual Berkshire Museum Festival of Trees is a popular Christmas Tree decorating event. The festival sees local businesses, schools, and other groups competing to decorate their tree in innovative and original ways. They also have to follow each year’s particular theme. Past themes have included salutes to the silver screen, animal safari, and the future.
This year’s theme is pop music. Each tree in the festival has been decorated around a different, popular song. The genre could be hip-hop, blues, jazz, country, rock, what have you. Can you guess which song the tree’s decorations are hinting at?
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Norman Rockwell Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas 2018
November 5, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Come to the Berkshires this holiday season and step into a scene from one of Norman Rockwell’s most famous paintings! The 29th annual Norman Rockwell Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas Weekend is scheduled for November 30th through December 2nd, 2018!
Norman Rockwell loved the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, eventually settling in Stockbridge. Rockwell spent his last years here, leaving his collection in trust to the Stockbridge Historical Society who used it to establish The Norman Rockwell Museum.
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Come Travel the Berkshire Cheese Trail!
August 24, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Come discover a world of amazing flavors when you set out along the Berkshire Cheese Trail. Makers throughout the Berkshires, from Williamstown to Great Barrington, Plainfield to Old Chatham – produce exceptional, artisanal, small-batch cheeses, some of which you’ll find nowhere else!
The recent farm-to-table movement that swept the nation has helped to bring great, regional foodmakers to light. More people than ever, now, are eager for locally-sourced ingredients, regional flavors, and sustainable practices. What this translates to is healthier, more delicious foods and unique regional flavors.
The Berkshires are no exception. Independent farms, foodmakers, and local food scenes are flourishing here in the Berkshires and Hudson Valley.
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Berkshires Golf Courses Near Our Lee, MA B&B
July 20, 2018 by Corey A. Edwards
Those who hope to get some time in on the links during their getaway will be happy to hear that Applegate Inn is near a number of popular public, Berkshires golf courses.
Applegate Inn, in Lee, MA is surrounded by fun things to see and do. That’s the nature of the Berkshires of western Massachusetts: there’s a little something for everyone, no matter where you go.
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