By Tess Renault
Editorial Assistant
New
England has no shortage of historical sites to visit, and if you’re like me,
visiting historical homes is a favorite tourist pastime. I always try to scout
out any old homes of famous writers, so I was pretty excited that Edith
Wharton, one of my favorite authors, once lived in my home state.
Located
in the Berkshires in Lenox, Massachusetts, is the Mount, a 42-room estate that was designed by Wharton in
1902. Wharton’s interest in design and architecture is apparent as you stroll
through the impeccably decorated rooms that you can tour either on your own or
through a guided tour. Wharton’s ingenuity extends outside to the beautiful
gardens, which are a must-see during the spring and summer months. However, if
you’re visiting during the fall, the estate offers ghost tours.
It
always fascinates me to see the environment where a role model once lived and
worked, especially one as talented as Wharton. Over 40 years, she wrote more
than 40 books and she was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
for The Age of Innocence. During her
time living at the Mount, she wrote some of her best novels, including The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome.
In
addition to a museum, the house is now a cultural center for all things Edith
Wharton and also hosts other historical events. Even if you’re not familiar
with Wharton’s writing, it’s still a beautiful architectural site to visit!
No comments:
Post a Comment