Edith Wharton in the Berkshires

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:
Edith Wharton and her home The Mount, designed by Wharton and Ogden Codman and visited by her friend Henry James.

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.

I. Lecture Series
free and open to the public

Tuesday, April 30 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 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 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.

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II. Day trip to The Mount
open to 5CLIR members and their guests

FIVE SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, BUT MUST BE BOOKED BY TUESDAY, JUNE 18

 

Includes bus, guided tour of The Mount House and Gardens, and lunch at the Terrace Café.
Friday, June 21^st, 8:30 am – 4 pm.: $75/member, $85/guest.
Bus from Sheldon Field, Old Ferry Road, Northampton, to The Mount in Lenox and back.

Online registration:

1. Buy Tickets Online

2. Reserve your Lunch

—or—

Print Form to mail with your check

Mail your form & check to:
5CLIR, 18 Henshaw Ave., C2, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063

NB: Ticket payments must be received by the office by Monday, June 3rd.
Reservations are not confirmed until payment is received at the office.
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III. Summer Reading Group – registration is full as of June 1

Edith Wharton’s New York, led by Elizabeth Armstrong

open to 5CLIR members only

Description and to Register