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.

A lovely note from a summer bride:

Words cannot describe how pleased I am with our wedding weekend at The Winthrop Estate. From the moment we arrived, we knew that we were being taken care of by a staff that seemed to truly care about our experience. From the decor, to the staff, to the homemade snacks that were provided throughout our visit, to the lovely manicured estate, everything was simply perfect! It was as though we were in the comfort of our own home. Another benefit to hosting our rehearsal dinner and staying at the estate for our wedding weekend was the personal connection that you had with all of the local vendors. It made things so much easier for everyone involved. I can honestly say that our wedding would not have been even close to as wonderful as it was had we decided no to stay with you! There was a true connection that was made by so many of our guests that I believe would not have been possible without this central location for everyone to convene at various times throughout the weekend. My only wish is that we could go back and do it all over again. I cannot thank you and your team enough.  I would recommend The Winthrop Estate to anyone and everyone for a wedding and a variety of events! It truly was the best wedding weekend ever!

Thanks for everything and best of luck to you and your family.

Ben and Andrea

Berkshire Fishing Club Lake

We are pleased to share with all our guests a membership to the Berkshire Fishing Club.  Now anyone who stays with us at the Winthrop Estate can spend a day at a pristine Palmer Brook Lake fishing for bass, chain pickerel and bluegill.  This is an exclusive fishing club, not open to the general public.  The facilities include a rustic clubhouse with a kitchen, a screened in porch and a deck overlooking the lake.  Classes in all aspects of fishing are available.  This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with the kids, or get away for a quiet personal day.  The resort also has hiking trails, canoes and lawn games.

So, if you are a fisherman at heart, whether you are here for a destination wedding, a corporate retreat or a family getaway, the opportunity exists to escape from it all…..hang the sign: “Gone Fishin’!”

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!

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!

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.

A group congregates in the foyer following a celebration

A gracious couple (parents of the bride) recently sent us a thank-you note sharing their warm sentiments in regard to a wedding hosted at the Winthrop Estate. A big think you goes from me to my staff for helping me make this wonderful experience for our guests!

Hi Jamie,
As I write this email, I am not sure where to start….so here goes:
You and your remarkable staff at Winthrop made this past weekend the most magical and beautiful weekend imaginable. I am not sure how you were able to transform the place so many ways without us seeing any of it being done, but somehow you managed. I never saw anyone upstairs, yet the rooms were cleaned and freshened each day, the event rooms were turned over without me ever seeing them empty. Every single one of the people with whom we had contact this past weekend was absolutely super kind and helpful and always had a smile. At times of high stress that makes a huge difference. The estate was absolutely magnificent in all its incarnations and all who stayed with us had a super fantastic time. You were wonderful with everyone and somehow (I wish I could do this) always had a smile on your face! We loved that! It was really nice for your husband to stop in at the end of each evening. My son, husband and Carl enjoyed speaking with him. We are indebted to you guys for loaning us the most spectacular place in Berkshire county!
Thanks for an absolutely MAGNIFICENT weekend!
Fondly,
Sally and Michael
PS The ‘kids’ are on a plane on the way to Australia but I know they would send their great thanks as well!

Winthrop Estate Fountain, photo by Kevin Sprague

The weather in Lenox has been glorious this week.  The summer-like days bring warming sun to the daffodils and trees and they are blooming everywhere.  We uncovered our fountain, taking off the heavy winter tent, and we are into spring cleaning on the grounds, and getting tan too. We are looking forward to the families who will be coming for their vacations or special occasions this season and have been busy on email, being in touch with the guests to answer questions, and make plans and reservations.  Spring time brings a flurry of activity from everyone thinking about the summer.    Happy Spring!