The Winthrop Estate – Weddings in the Berkshires
This autumn we built a sandbox under the shady maples for kids to play in while they visit the Mansion on family vacation. It’s been quite a hit. The kids usually discover the sandbox before their parents have even finished unloading the car. Fresh air, imaginary play, and sunshine mixed with a good dose of sand and laughter can be just the ticket for hours of fun.
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Red Leaf Lettuce in our garden
We are committed to local, fresh food here at Winthrop Estate. So committed, in fact, that three years ago we put in a large organic garden on the 40 acre grounds. Surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire hills we grow about 30 different varieties of garden vegetables from green beans, summer and winter squashes, kale, swiss chard, and many varieties of lettuce along with herbs and flowers. Our kids help run a CSA (community supported agriculture) for our neighborhood and local restaurants. When you bring your kids for a family vacation, they can pick the salad for your lunch!
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Interested in a family retreat at the Winthrop Estate? Read this gracious note left by one of our guests to find out how good their experience was…
Dear Jamie-
Thank you for making our family holiday a true retreat. Every one of us absolutely loved our time in your gorgeous estate. We are so Grateful for your attention to evert detail right down to the excellent crib for V and the plush toys in her room! We leave with incredible memories and much gratitude.
-N&S
Attention to detail is one of our strong points here at the estate. We would also like to thank our lovely guests as none of this would be possible without your patronage.
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This week at the Winthrop Estate, many guests and staff members have spotted a gorgeous Red-tailed Hawk hanging out on the property. Happy with the abundance of field mice, chipmunks, squirrels and even woodchucks on the 40 acres of Winthrop Estate property, this bird of prey is an apex predetor (at the top of the food chain). His favorite perches so far tend to be the roof of the 3 car garage and this empty bird box depicted in this image. We are certainly happy to have him around as Red-tailed hawks are a Native American symbol of good luck and helps to ward off any potential rodent accumulation. Suggestions for names anyone?
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What a lavish surprise to walk into the library this morning to find a bowl of the most amazing orchids awaiting admiration. I was ever so happy to oblige. The glistening petals with burgundy dots and ruffles, their seductive curves and hollows made me wonder anew at the ever -ready innovation of nature to create beauty.
It is this beauty and attention to detail that inspires us here at Winthrop Estate. We want every room to reflect the lush grandeur of the Gilded Age. Our resident florist, Crocus Hale, creates elegant bouquets to adorn the mansion and lift our spirits.
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Photo by John Seakwood
Thanksgiving!
It’s our favorite time of year again, when we are truly grateful to be living in one of the most beautiful counties in New England. Our cozy “Berkshire cottage” is the perfect place for you to “escape to home” for the Thanksgiving holiday. Staying true to the spirit of the house (Winthrop Estate is a gilded-age mansion that was built in 1925), our home is furnished with luxurious period pieces. Bring your entire family and a big appetite for a long weekend of festivities. Our staff is here to make you feel completely at home. You can get comfortable in the wood paneled library where we have leather couches and chairs, a wide selection of current books and music, a fireplace (one of many throughout the mansion) and a baby grand piano; kids and teens will enjoy the upstairs game room with ping pong, board games, foosball, and a big screen T.V. with cable and video games. Or relax in the conservatory, a sun drenched, verdigris colored room with original wood paneling, red hexagonal tile floor, and lush potted plants; it’s right off the kitchen and a favorite spot for breakfast and long conversations. Or step outdoors where we have the six-acre lawn, woodland trails, views to take your breath away. Or enjoy the 500+acres of sanctuary hiking trails very nearby.
But let’s talk turkey. We can have a twenty -pound bird in the oven and all the fixings for your feast served in the formal dining room. You won’t have to lift a finger. Leftovers – you bet! Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sandwiches on dinner rolls will be waiting too.
What is your Thanksgiving plan?
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Tomatoes and basil grown at the estate
Dear Jamie,
It was a pleasure to prepare dinner at the Winthrop Estate.
I can only imagine how exciting it has been over the past few years to have transformed the Estate to its former glory.
Your impeccable taste and warm inviting hospitality is reflected throughout the home, it really is a masterpiece and something to be very proud of.
Also, your staff was extremely helpful, professional and generous, and a pleasure to work with.
I do hope I get a chance to visit again.
Thank You,
M.S.
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Hot Air Ballon Flight, by Worthington Balloon
Winthrop Estate is the perfect place to host a country wedding: luxury accommodations, impeccable service, attention to detail, and beautiful natural surroundings. Yet, during the hustle and bustle of the wedding weekend you might not have time to enjoy everything the Berkshires and Winthrop Estate has to offer. We’d like to extend an invitation to come early and enjoy some quality family time before the big event. Arrive on Wednesday and stay a few days before the wedding. We will pamper you with all our great services and you can enjoy yourselves fully. We can arrange for sunrise or sunset hot – air balloon flights from our lawn by Worthington Balloon, and there are miles of hiking trails just out our backdoor. The village of Lenox offers first class salon services from near by places such as Peter Alvarez Salon, and Shear Design (an Aveda Salon), as well as great shopping and dining. We guarantee your stay at Winthrop will bring you memories to last a lifetime.
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Just a few weeks ago Berkshire County was hit by a fairly severe storm. The wind knocked down only a branch or two on the main property, but the hiking trails to the west of the mansion took some more damage. Some members of the staff went out later that week to clear trails and found some massive trees down. The rings on one pine suggested that it had lived for over 100 years. Some hours later, Chris Brown and his team finished the job. Gorgeous trails, once again ready to be hiked and biked by the guests of the Winthrop Estate. Yokun Ridge, Kennedy Park and October Mountain are actually some of the best-kept secrets of the Berkshires. Together, they provide over 20 miles of beautiful mountain biking, cross country skiing, hiking and trail running for residents and visitors alike.
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And we can’t wait for your return visit! Thanks so much to this family for being such lovely guests!
A second guest wrote on the same page:
The beauty, grace and elegance of the Winthrop Estate has been imprinted on the minds of my family forever; A wonderful special memory, and a place we will look forward to returning soon! Thanks -M.S.
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