cupola upright

Castle Hill Tour: Cupola with a View

This is our most Instagram-able tour experience and a particular treat for those interested in the architecture of the Great House and its surrounding property. You’ll gain insight into the architectural choices made by David Adler as he designed and built the Great House, the second home the Cranes built… Read More

Old Manse Exterior Summer

Home to Two Revolutions: Tour of the Old Manse

Home to Two Revolutions – From the American Revolution of 1775 through the literary revolution of the mid-19th century, on this house tour we share the stories of Manse residents, both the famous and the lesser-known, who influenced and responded to the 19th century social, political and cultural changes that… Read More

Flashlight Tour

Attic Tours of The Old Manse

Uncover the hidden stories of The Old Manse on this thrilling tour that takes you to the historic third-floor attic! While the 254-year-old museum is renowned for its famous writers, philosophers, and Revolutionary War heroes, we’ll dive into the lives of those who stayed in this intriguing space—visiting ministers, enslaved… Read More

Old Manse Books

American Contradictions: Enslavement and the American Revolution at The Old Manse

Many who fought for liberty and independence from Great Britain also enslaved other people – a contradiction that is at the heart of the American Revolution. At the Old Manse, we see this contradiction embodied in the life of William Emerson, “Patriot Preacher” and slave holder. We also… Read More

Old Manse Exterior Summer

Home to Two Revolutions: Tour of the Old Manse

Home to Two Revolutions – From the American Revolution of 1775 through the literary revolution of the mid-19th century, on this house tour we share the stories of Manse residents, both the famous and the lesser-known, who influenced and responded to the 19th century social, political and cultural changes that… Read More

Alternator

Castle Hill Tour: Behind the Scenes in the Great House

Do you love checking out basements, kitchens, and other out of the way rooms? Our behind-the-scenes tour takes you past the beautiful facade and explores how the house ran when the Cranes were in residence. You’ll learn how a plumbing magnate incorporated the latest technology of the era into his… Read More

bryant

Literary Legacy: A Guided Tour of the William Cullen Bryant Homestead

Reopening Summer 2025 for the first time since 2019!! Step into the world of 19th-century poet, journalist, and conservationist William Cullen Bryant at his beloved family homestead in Cummington, Massachusetts. This guided tour offers a look inside Bryant’s thoughtfully preserved country estate, where he spent his… Read More

cupola upright

Castle Hill Tour: Cupola with a View

This is our most Instagram-able tour experience and a particular treat for those interested in the architecture of the Great House and its surrounding property. You’ll gain insight into the architectural choices made by David Adler as he designed and built the Great House, the second home the Cranes built… Read More