Sun Salutation on the yoga platform

Photo by Dave Donato of ModernArtistry

A lovely note from a fall guest who had their wedding at The Mount.  I really enjoy having guests at the mansion!

“As the ‘kids’ were planning their wedding, we joked that it was the ‘royal wedding.’  And in the end,  it was a royal wedding in so many ways.  The Winthrop Estate was the perfect home base for friends and family to make personal connections during the wedding weekend.  Our guests had extended time together in a homey atmosphere.  You were so accommodating throughout our stay, setting up an environment that was perfect for each gathering we held.  Our guests boasted that it was the ‘best wedding ever’  and we believe it was because of the shared time at the Winthrop Estate which was our central meeting place. North connected to South,  old to young, friends to family,  and the bride’s  people connecting to the groom’s people..

“Thank you for your true hospitality and for all of the little things you did for us this past weekend.  We  also loved your staff who  reached out to us in kind and caring ways throughout our stay.

“So many of my family members and friends said that these past few days were among the best days of their lives.  That atmosphere of pure joy was fostered under your care.  So a million thanks.  MD

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.

Please enjoy this short video of a summer wedding celebration that took place last year at the Winthrop Estate.

This is the magic in a wedding at the Winthrop Estate- a gorgeous lawn, a lovely day, all dressed up, in love, and ready to party.

She called me in November, as her 9 year old daughter was encouraging her to do something special for her birthday. She wanted to do something more than a meal at a restaurant, and she wanted to be in the Berkshires so her elderly mother could be a part of the celebration without traveling far from her Lenox home. She liked the Berkshires because she could easily come up from NYC (3 hours) and her sister’s family could come easily from the Boston area (2 hours).

“Could we host a small dinner party in December?” she asked me.

We checked the dates and since she had heard good things about us, after a short, detailed, good conversation, she booked the estate for her 40^th birthday party. I helped her arrange catering (with local chef Shelley Williams known for her excellent quality of food and her rich combination of flavors) and I helped her arrange some special floral centerpieces. A few weeks later, the birthday girl and her family arrived at the Winthrop Estate. Though many of the family had seen our pictures on the web, all were surprised, wide-eyed and thrilled at the elegance, magic and spaciousness of the Winthrop Estate (they told me so much as they walked around with smiles and excitement upon arrival).

The afternoon proceeded with lots of hugs for Grandma and the release of tension that comes with vacation paired with the energy and excitement of a party. The 20 family members all made themselves at home at the estate; fires were fed and people enjoyed delicious food and their favorite wine (guests at the Winthrop Estate can bring their own if they wish). And of course, they enjoyed each others company during the evening party. Some kids went to sleep early; parents talked into the night. They continued the celebration in the morning before eventually heading back to their homes.

In the morning as I was saying good bye, the Grandma thanked me for such a lovely experience, and the birthday girl told me that one of her favorite moments of the weekend was at the dining table with the candles flickering and the dessert served (with key lime frosting, her favorite), when her daughter said, “Look mom, all the people I love in the same room, right here.”