Winthrop Estate is one of the few remaining Berkshire Cottages of the Gilded Age.  We are proud to be restoring and maintaining a magnificent architectural gem of American History.

In the latter part of the nineteenth century into the early twentieth century, the growing wealthy upper class aspired to create elite resorts and communities for themselves in which to play, entertain and network.  The Berkshires were home to one of those communities; wealthy families from Boston and New York hired talented architects to build sumptuous houses.

A passage from Richard S. Jackson Jr. and Cornelia Brooke Gilder’s book, The Houses of the Berkshires, 1870-1930 helps to illustrate the significance of the “Berkshire Cottages” in the wider scope of American architecture.

“The intersection of ambitious clients with versatile architects achieved a significant physical presence in a number of cities and resorts, and particularly in one small corner of Massachusetts.  Within a few hundred square miles comprising Lenox and Stockbridge, the best architects from New York and Boston, plus some remarkable able local practitioners, invented a unique and uniquely American landscape of great country houses.”

It is our passion and honor to be the current owners and caretakers of the Winthrop Estate.  We strive to recreate an atmosphere of authentic luxury.  With great pleasure, we invite you to be our guest for your wedding, family reunion or corporate retreat and participate in living a lavish piece of American history.

The Bream Bedroom

Setting the tone to this decidedly French and luxuriously inviting room is a Louise XV-style chaise long with cabriole legs in old white paint and a Louise XV-style Bergere with a curved arched padded back, molded frame and cabriole legs. To the left of the bed is a French tulip wood bijouterie cabinet with a marquetry decorated lift top opening to a mirrored interior, c. 1880, and to the right is a French fruitwood one drawer stand with cabriole legs, c. 1870.  A gilt and white paint convex mirror hangs over the fireplace.  A salmon lobed vase decorated with white figures is mounted as a tabletop lamp.  Hanging over the desk is an 18^th Century carved figural plaque of a sea creature with a later clipped corner frame faux painted in a complementary manner.  There is a mid 19^th Century bronze bas  relief roundel of a woman in profile in a gilt frame and  a pair of 19^th Century French prints in rectangular frames which give the room depth and a sense of collected artifacts.

Ethelwynde Bedroom

Spring fresh colors highlight this wonderful room with views out to the Great Lawn.

A grand late 19^th Century post humous  portrait of Sarah Oakley Vander Poel in an elaborate laurel leaf and ribbon gilt frame hangs over the fireplace.   A Beidermeier secretaire with ivory escutcheons and pulls as well as a Beidermeir sleigh bed, both c. 1840 decorate the room.  There is a 19^th Century print with reverse painting on glass matt in an octagonal frame above the secretaire.  On either side of the bed is a group of four19^th Century engravings from “The Cries of London” series.  Small pieces like the Beidermeier fruitwood stool with cabriole legs and needlepoint cover, a 19^th Century mahogany French gaming table with satinwood inlay and a 19^th Century Charles X candlestick with incised decoration all add to the charming appeal of this quiet retreat.  Underfoot is a Portugese needlepoint carpet of neoclassical design with a laurel leaf pattern surrounding floral medallions.

Knitting Basket in the Library

Recently one of our guests discovered the knitting basket in the library of Winthrop Estate.  Sitting in one of the cozy leather chairs she experienced the joy of busy hands – quiet mind.  She left us a lovely bit of what might be a scarf.  Of course we pride ourselves on our luxury accommodations, fine antiques, and delicious food, but it’s also these little things we have to offer that we hope will bring you joy and a feeling of serenity during your stay with us.

Avid knitters will want to visit the designer yarn shop in the village of Lenox.  Colorful Stitches is a wonderful boutique – a delight to the senses.  They have “yarn bombed” the entire front porch of the store, the whole thing looks like it’s wearing a colorful sweater.  Go there for yarn, patterns and classes and get inspired!

The full swing of summer is upon us.  Preparing the estate for weddings, family reunions and even neighborhood barbecues has kept the entire staff quite busy.   Manicuring the gardens, grounds, and interior of the estate is not an easy task, but that’s not to say their work goes unnoticed.  Watching the arrivals of guests is one gratifying experience for many who work here.  Exclamations of praise for the estate’s beauty, tasteful decorations and elegance have become a regular occurrence.  One wedding guest in particular, a concert pianist who has traveled to many old estates across the U.S and Europe, praised Jamie for her unparalleled ability to maintain and manage “one of the most elegant, well staffed, and classy estates he had ever visited.”  Going above and beyond the status quo to ensure an outstanding experience for all of our guests is our primary objective.  From the perfectly arranged table setting to the well-manicured garden and lawn, our home is your home, and we take pride in that.

One of the busiest days of the year in Lenox is undoubtedly Independence Day.  With James Taylor performing at Tanglewood 4 times in the last 5 days, it’s no wonder our little town has turned into one big traffic jam.  As hectic as it may seem, there are some clever ways to avoid the overwhelming masses of visitors.   For example, sitting on the verandah of the estate and watching the Boston Pops Firework show shoot straight out of the trees is one way the staff of the estate likes to celebrate.  A secluded birthday party for America with sparklers, s’mores and great company seemed fitting after a few busy weeks at work.

Master Bedroom, photo by John Seakwood

Anchored by a “palace-size” Oushak Peshawar carpet, c. 1990, this grand room features a Georgian style sofa with loose down cushions in a pistachio green woven fabric at the foot of the bed. There is a pair of Biedermeier fruitwood open armchairs for the first quarter of the 19^th Century. Early 20^th C. floral watercolors in shades of pink add a feminine touch. A group of early 20^th Century English prints depicting the Four Seasons hang on either side of the fireplace. We just added a handsome Biedermeier day bed from the first quarter of the 19^th Century adds the perfect spot for the afternoon nap.

Winthrop Estate Foyer, ready for the party

This foyer picture looks South, through the French doors to the verandah and Great Lawn. This room stays quite cool in the summer, and was lovely on hot days even before we added the a/c. The building is mostly a stone façade on the first floor, and this room does not get much passive solar hear and it is the coolest place in the whole house. I remember hanging out with friends in the foyer the first year we were at the estate, before we did any restoration, one summer evening marveling at the heat outside. Now the estate is fully air-conditioned and we revealed the wood floor you see here a few years ago. This space is very popular for mingling and socializing. It’s ready for you. Photo by Konrad Brattke

The Three Muses, our fountain, in Autumn

This picture of the fountain of the Three Muses, made of marble from Baci, Italy, was taken in the fall when the Copper Beech Tree just to the east of the fountain was a rich burgundy. The trunk of the Copper Beech is probably more than four feet in diameter. The area under the branches is covered by a soft mossy green covering and the roots poke thorough in a few places and leaves can grow off them right near the ground. A few of the roots hold water after a rainstorm and I have seen birds bathing there.