New England
Years of wandering and fond memories.
It’s ironic that after living in New England for almost 40 years, I have so little to show for it in photographs. I guess it is a bit like asking a fish whether they like water. Or a Boston townie why they like Dunkin’. It’s just there. And don’t forget to bring back a couple a crullahs!
If you go to New England for the peak Fall foliage season you are officially a “leaf peeper” and be sure to book your quirky inns well in advance so you can get the best room. We loved the Whetsone Inn outside of Brattleboro, Vermont in the tiny town of Marlboro — off the winding Route 9. It is famous for the Marlboro Music chamber music festival in the summer and the Bach festival in the fall.
Just be sure to get out of the car and hike through the humidity and heat of the summer, the crisp psychedelia of the fall foliage, and cross country ski through the frozen meadows of winter. And I know it is a little cliché, but I miss real sharp cheddar cheese with Macintosh apples, apple cider with cinnamon. Be sure to bring home a quart of real maple syrup even if pancakes have too many carbs!
These are photos of the Hancock Shaker Village with the unusual round barn and the rich history of the Shakers that will surprise you. They were quite technologically advanced, financially successful for many years and invented some important products — they even had the first telephone in New Hampshire. I don’t know who you would call if you had the only phone, but still.
And they enjoyed the ecstatic trance dancing of raves before they were cool.
The unique round barn of Hancock Shaker Village was actually quite functional.
Meeting House Hancock Shaker Village
Shaker carpentry Hancock Shaker Village
Drying plants and colorful yarns, Hancock Shaker Village
Close Up ornate door handle Hancock Shaker Village
Shaker boxes Hancock Shaker Village
Western Massachusetts was a favorite for us — just a few hours from Boston on the MassPike (Rt. 90) and you will find the Kripalu yoga ashram, Tanglewood performances of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jacob’s Pillow for dance, MASS MoCA for a huge installation of modern art in old factories, and Williamstown Theatre Festival for classic summer stock.
early morning fog Kripalu Center Berkshires Western MA
Freshly mowed grass in the summer rain in western MA
close up clock first congregational church williamstown MA
first congregational church williamstown MA
looking out from MASS MoCA to Berkshire countryside Western MA
Our favorite place to stay, the Guesthouse at Field Farm is a step back in time to an authentic mid-century mansion and 316 acres of conservation land. Make sure you can tour the ultra modern Folly. It’s a three-bedroom, pinwheel-shaped, shingled guest cottage, designed in 1965 by noted modernist architect Ulrich Franzen. It overlooks the pond and still contains furnishings designed by Franzen.
the grounds surrounding the Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA
rose in the rain at Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA
sculpture garden and pond Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA
mid-century living room at Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA
surrounding grounds and The Folly designed in 1965 by noted modernist architect Ulrich Franzen Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA
living room The Folly designed in 1965 by noted modernist architect Ulrich Franzen Guesthouse at Field Farm Berkshires western MA