One of the joys of living in western Massachusetts is the nearness of the Berkshires, with their Gilded Age “cottages” amid the mountain landscape.
This project brings us into the heart of one of the most interesting Berkshire properties and the life of one of its stellar inhabitants.
The program consists of three public lectures, a bus tour to the The Mount in the Berkshires, and a series of small group book discussions.
Lecture series
Free and open to the public
Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Applewood Retirement Community Meeting Room, Amherst.
Anne Schuyler: Edith Wharton: A Genius for Gardens
Anne joined The Mount in 2006 as a tour guide. She currently manages visitors services, interpretation & exhibits, and group tour activity. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Virginia, and a Professional Certificate in Public History from Northeastern University
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM
Applewood Retirement Community Meeting Room, Amherst.
Tim Binzen: House of Mirth: Landscape Archaeology and Historic Reconstruction at The Mount, Home of Edith Wharton
Tim was Director of UMass Archaeological Services and oversaw the excavations that led to the re-creation of Edith Wharton’s gardens, designed by Beatrix Farrand and Edith.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Loomis Village Auditorium, South Hadley – wine & cheese reception following the author’s talk
Richard Guy Wilson: Edith Wharton: Literature and Architecture
Richard Guy Wilson is Commonwealth Professor at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. He is the author of Edith Wharton at Home: Life at The Mount. His specialty is American and Modern architecture, art, design, and cities from 1750 to the present. He is the author or collaborator on 18 books and many museum exhibitions, lectures frequently at other institutions and also serves as a television commentator. Among other activities he leads a summer school in Newport, RI.
The Mount
Tour and lunch on Friday June 21, 2019
Includes round trip bus from Northampton, guided tour of The Mount house and gardens, and lunch at the Terrace Grill, snacks and beverage.
Edith Wharton’s New York
Some Short Stories and a Novel: stories set in 19th century Manhattan
Edith Wharton, (1862-1937), was born into a old-money, privileged society with a strict code of behavior. Although she “escaped” to Europe to a milieu which allowed her the independence and freedom she needed to lead a literary life, some of her best fiction is set in her native city.
Wharton was the first woman to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize which she received in 1921 for The Age of Innocence.
Moderator: Elizabeth Armstrong
4 meetings : Tuesday 7/9, Thursday 7/11, Tuesday 7/16, Thursday 7/18, 2019
TIme: 10:00 AM – Noon
Location: Applewood in Amherst, Conference Room
Registration limited to 13 members.
Members will read assigned texts, lead a discussion of one or more stories, and prepare questions for a group discussion of the novel The Age of Innocence.
Publications and other resources that will be used by all participants (authors, titles, and editions if applicable; maximum 150 words):
- The New York Stories of Edith Wharton selected and with an introduction by Roxana Robinson, published by The New York Review of Books 2007
- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, any edition
Note: all the assigned reading (specific stories and novel) is available free on the internet.