Blog

Make Up for a Wedding

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Great make up... great photos... lovely couple! Here's a link to their makeup pro's blog entry.

A new lawn game....Corn Hole!

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:19:00 GMT

We have a new game to add to our collection of lawn games! At the request of one of our brides and grooms we are pleased to share “Corn Hole” with all of our guests here at The Winthrop Estate!

Corn Hole is a popular, summertime lawn game that is taking the country by storm. Simple to play, it’s engaging and fun.

We look forward to seeing you out on our great lawn with your friends and family, tossing a bean -bag!

The Winthrop Estate is part of American History.

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:42:00 GMT

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 them 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.

Winthrop Estate is featured in Popular Photographer's Website

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:43:00 GMT

It gave us great pleasure to recently receive an email letting us know Winthrop Estate had been featured in Ryan Brenizer’s website. Ryan photographed Lisa Marie and Rudy’s 2011 wedding here in the Berkshires. We remember the couple well and everyone had such a great time at their wedding. When the link to Ryan’s website arrived in our inbox viewing all the pictures gave us a flush of warm memories.

We become intricately involved with our clients as they go through nine or more months of wedding planning with us. By the time the big day arrives, we are so excited. We are always so proud to host weddings in our historic home.

Many thanks to Ryan for including us in your wonderful website. The pictures are gorgeous!

Bocce Balls - We've got 'em!

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Even though it’s the dead of winter and we aren’t outside playing on our lawn right now, we are thinking ahead to this summer. Days are long, skies are clear and all we want to do is be outside. That’s why we decided to add a bocce set to our lawn game collection.

Bocce is very popular in Europe and was brought to America by Italians. Descended from a game played in the Roman Empire, bocce involves rolling balls on a clay, asphalt or smooth lawn. Anywhere between two to eight players compete in teams. The United States Bocce Federation has a great website with information, playing tips, and tournament schedules. They are aiming to get bocce into the Olympic Games!

Even if you are not as serious as those bocce enthusiasts, you will find our bocce set to be the very best available on the market. The Perfetta Club Pro Bocce Set I just ordered should last for years to come and be a focal point for many happy memories. Our lawn is great, the views spectacular and we have no doubt that bocce is going to become a favorite pastime here at Winthrop Estate!

Complimentary Morning Yoga....and breathe....

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:02:00 GMT

The Winthrop Estate is proud to be neighbors with one of the nation’s premier yoga centers, Kripalu. Hence, our little village of Lenox has a large population of very skilled yoga teachers. To enhance our guests stay at our luxurious mansion we are now offering complimentary morning yoga classes. If you let us know one week in advance that you would like to take a class (or two) during your stay with us, we will book a teacher to come in and give you a private lesson.

Breathe, relax, and feel……how wonderful it is to be here!

Our Great Staff

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:17:00 GMT

A guest wrote me after their recent visit:

"...it was a fabulous weekend. It was my first visit to the Berkshires, and won't be my last. Your staff is wonderful, especially Christie. She always had a smile on her face and was more than helpful. Best regards, S."

A Great Team...

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:57:00 GMT

A recent email from a happy guest--

"It was beautiful!!!! Thank you so much for a wonderful, wonderful wedding and weekend. You are amazing and you have a great team!!
xoxoxo
R&L"

I love the xoxoxo part. She was so warm and so complimentary of the good food and good service at the meals (she came into the kitchen to thank the chef), and she was so appreciative of the little things we did (moved a card table to the verandah for the guests who were there hoping to play some cards, lit the fireplace in her room, reset the dining room while the guests were dancing, pressed a few shirts and dresses for guests, found the little girl's shoes, etc.). I hope this group returns for another happy occasion!

A Royal Weekend

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:47:00 GMT

Happy guests! Great weekend, with a lovely wedding at The Mount. A thank you note to us:

Dear Jamie,
      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.
   Much Love,
M.D.

Happy Guests

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:43:00 GMT

Interested in a family retreat at the Winthrop Estate? Read this gracious note left by one of our guests to find out how good their experience was...

Dear Jamie-

Thank you for making our family holiday a true retreat. Every one of us absolutely loved our time in your gorgeous estate. We are so Grateful for your attention to evert detail right down to the excellent crib for V and the plush toys in her room! We leave with incredible memories and much gratitude.

-N&S

Attention to detail is one of our strong points here at the estate. We would also like to thank our lovely guests as none of this would be possible without your patronage.

The Mice Don't Stand a Chance

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:30:00 GMT

This week at the Winthrop Estate, many guests and staff members have spotted a gorgeous Red-tailed Hawk hanging out on the property. Happy with the abundance of field mice, chipmunks, squirrels and even woodchucks on the 40 acres of Winthrop Estate property, this bird of prey is an apex predetor (at the top of the food chain). His favorite perches so far tend to be the roof of the 3 car garage and this empty bird box depicted in this image. We are certainly happy to have him around as Red-tailed hawks are a Native American symbol of good luck and helps to ward off any potential rodent accumulation. Suggestions for names anyone?

Heaven on a Hammock

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:22:00 GMT

Two newly installed hammocks on the Winthrop Estate grounds are a relaxing way to enjoy the beautiful August weather while staying out of the hot sun. This one, located next to the hiking trail head, looks out upon the southwest corner of the estate and offers a gorgeous view of the great lawn.

An Unforgettable Weekend Thanks to a Gracious Host

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:25:00 GMT

We can't wait for your return visit! Thanks so much to this family for being such lovely guests! unfortunately, I was unable to include a photograph of the entire letter for confidentiality purposes. A second guest wrote on the same page:

The beauty, grace and elegance of the Winthrop Estate has been imprinted on the minds of my family forever; A wonderful special memory, and a place we will look forward to returning soon! Thanks -M.S.

A Lovely Thank-You Note

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:44:00 GMT

Thanks guys! Just doing our job the best we know how.

Outdoor Adventure

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:06:00 GMT

Just a few weeks ago Berkshire County was hit by a fairly severe storm. The wind knocked down only a branch or two on the main property, but the hiking trails to the west of the mansion took some more damage. Some members of the staff went out later that week to clear trails and found some massive trees down. The rings on one pine suggested that it had lived for over 100 years. Some hours later, Chris Brown and his team finished the job. Gorgeous trails, once again ready to be hiked and biked by the guests of the Winthrop Estate. Yokun Ridge, Kennedy Park and October Mountain are actually some of the best-kept secrets of the Berkshires. Together, they provide over 20 miles of beautiful mountain biking, cross country skiing, hiking and trail running for residents and visitors alike.