New England - Day Three

Following a quick breakfast at the Eveready Dinner in Hyde Park, we were off to Lenox, Massachusetts.

In Lenox, we visited Ventfort Hall.   This is the home of Sara Morgan, sister of J. P. Morgan.   The house was scheduled to be torn down by a developer but not before the town leaders and citizens stepped in and stopped the demolition.

Sara Morgan

The windows were stunning. 

The central entry hall looking back towards the entry.   Above the doorway is the balcony where musicians would sit to play for guests.  

Per our guide, the house was in major disrepair when the town's people saved it.   The developer had started demolition by dismantling the fireplaces, pulling down trim, etc.  The outside was so very over grown with vines and shrubs that the windows were hidden from view.  Not one window was broken and the restorers feel that the overgrowth is what saved the windows.  Thankfully the local historical society had photographs of each room that documented how each room had appeared when Sara Morgan lived and entertained in Ventfort Hall.  These photos proved invaluable in restoring the interior of the home. 

Lovely windows through out, many with stained glass.

Gorgeous ceiling in the dining room.

Work on the trim completed by a local artisan to replace what had been destroyed.  The lighter wood is the new, yet to be refinished, trim.  The room itself, as well as the house,  is used to local events, book signings, small plays, weddings venues, etc.   

In this room also is a poster from the movie Cider House Rules.  Ventfort Hall was used as a setting in the movie.   I just recently finished reading Cider House Rules.   When I planned the trip, I didn’t know Ventfort Hall was part of the movie.  As I walked through the building I couldn’t help but see "Homer Wells", played by Toby MacQuire, in this place.  

Also of note, in the mid-1860's, prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Robert Gould Shaw was at Ventfort Manor to court the the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Haggerty,   Annie.  Shaw went on to serve with the 2nd Massachusetts Regiment and fought in battles at Cedar Mountain and Antietam.  The story of the Massachusetts Regiment was told in the Academy Award Winning movie, Glory, with Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman

 A large display of antique fans on loan from a private collector, labeled and on display.

Across the central entry hall, was the dining room.   This inset in the wall was covered with plywood when renovations started.  Looking at the pictures they were able to determine the large wooden piece crated in the basement was what was missing.   The plywood was removed and the piece was able to be reinstalled into the niche for a wonderful display of woodworking.   

Tea service used for current day teas at Ventfort Hall.

Beautiful craftmanship on the fireplace mantle.

Needlepoint tapestry, stitcher not known.

Another needlepoint piece.

Look at this work on this chair.  I don't think it was hand stitched; most likely machine done.

Beautiful glassware on display.

Set of five gilded and enameled pink champagne glasses, custom made by Salviati of Venice, 1897

Set of four finger bowls and matching plates in red glass with gilded, mythological decorations, again by Salviati of Venice, 1987.  Matching goblets in green and blue in the background.

In one upstairs bedroom, a dining table was set for the purpose of display for present day visitors.   

Sara's bedroom

The wallpaper has been reproduced from original paper from within the house under layers of other paper.

Sara's desk

Sara's sitting area near the fireplace.

Not necessarily a pin cushion, but a cushion for pins of another kind.

It was a beautiful and spacious room

Displays set up for visitors 

Leaving Lenox, Massachusetts, we were on our way to Enfield, NH, for the Shaker Retreat.   We stopped at Dorr's Mill Store in Newport, New Hampshire on the way.    What a fabulous collection of wool.   From scarves, shirts, blankets to wool by the yard appliqué kits.    I picked up these small cuts of wool....just because.....and the cute ghost pattern to add to my 'collection' of wool appliqué patterns.

And then we were there.....arriving safely at the Enfield Shaker Village.  Checking in and getting all our luggage into our room.

At 4 pm we were allowed into the stitching room.   

We were each given a name tag to wear.   Each with a story of a shaker who resided at the Enfield  Shaker Village.

Our tables were well appointed.  We each had a placemat chocked full of arrival goodies.  And the wing chairs were such an awesome thoughtful choice for seating.   Jennifer and Merry Susan had the staff pull the chairs from our bedrooms to make our stitching seating so very comfortable.  Electric was set up for table top use......back into the luggage went my Halo bolt battery.

We received several goodies.   An adorable stuffed pumpkin made by Jennifer for each of us.  A cute ort container made by Merry Susan for each of us.  A perforated paper pumpkin pattern and an adorable metal pumpkin to display the finished piece.    A pretty cool stand for your cell phone (not pictured).    And this was just our welcome goodies!   Jennifer and Merry Susan went far above and beyond anything one would expect!

There were displays of charts available from Violets & Verses and Prim Peacock Samplers.

And that wraps up Day Three.