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This post is available as a video at https://youtu.be/mehgweDIyik.

The Gilded Age mansions of the late nineteenth century were the homes of entrepreneurs who earned their wealth by advancing science, technology, and industry. Many of those mansions have fabulous gardens that remained open during the Corona-virus pandemic, even when the mansions were locked up. Since 2020, I’ve visited several of them, including the Ca d’Zan, Vizcaya in Miami, the Flagler in Florida, and The Breakers in Rhode Island (here and here). Many wealthy families who lived in New York City built elaborate homes in which to spend the summer months. The mountains of western Massachusetts were a popular location for such homes, which were called “Berkshire cottages”.

These homes are filled with gorgeous architectural details and interior decorations. I prefer a simpler style in my own living quarters, but I love looking at such elements in someone else’s home. And yes, you should go visit these mansions yourself: my photos don’t include nearly all the pretty pretty stuff.

Ventfort Hall in Lenox, Massachusetts, is one of the Berkshire cottages. It was constructed in 1891-1893 for Sarah Morgan, sister of financier J. Pierpont Morgan. Sarah lived in Britain when young, and the dream house she built with her husband was in the thoroughly English Jacobean style. It remained in the family for half a century, then was used by various institutions. In 1997 the Ventfort Hall Association was created to restore the structure, which was by then water-damaged and derelict.

“Ventfort” means “strong wind”. The mansion’s hilltop position was the 19th century’s substitute for air conditioning. Most of the land around it has been sold off, but Ventfort still commands a wonderful view.

Stairs that are beautiful as well as functional! These are in the main entrance hall.

Drawing-room fireplace. Every room has a fireplace, and each is unique.

Most rooms have decorative plaster ceilings, also unique to each. After the mansion was no longer used as a family home, many of the plaster ceilings were damaged. The ceiling of this room has been completed restored.

Cider House Rules, 1999, was filed on Ventfort’s property.

As was (wait for it!) The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, 2018. Well, if anyone could do it, Sam Elliot could.

Lovely ceiling in the dining room, this one of wood.

Plaster ceiling of the hallway running the length of the house, and a detail of it. Sometimes the sight of sheer technical competence is relaxing, even (especially?) if the work isn’t representational. I may have to start collecting photos of plasterwork, too. I’m already fascinated by wrought iron and terracotta decoration.

Next week: upstairs at Ventfort.

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