Love Notes from an Old Manse
Passing secret messages and leaving notes to friends and loved ones is a tale as old as time. Stop by our tent to learn the art of the “puzzle purse” and write a note to someone in your life that unfolds before their eyes. The Old Manse provided many… Read More
Family-Friendly Tour of the Old Manse
Step into the incredible world of The Old Manse, a stunning 254 year-old house that witnessed the dawn of the American Revolutionary War and served as a sanctuary for renowned writers and artists! Join us for a special 30-minute tour designed just for families with young adventurers. Experience history like… Read More
Castle Hill Tour: Grand Stairs to Back Stairs
Do you want to see the whole house? Are you up for a deep dive into life with the Crane family and their servants? Are you curious about how the various elements of the Great House worked together? This extended tour will take you from the luxurious living quarters to… Read More
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
The Land Tells Our Stories Artist Workshop: Cyanotype Silk Painting with Ella Mahoney
Join us for a series of artist-led workshops at Fruitlands as part of The Land Tells Our Stories, a state-wide exhibit of outdoor sculpture. This workshop will focus on the work of Ella Mahoney and explore the silk painting techniques she uses in her outdoor installations. Moshup’s… Read More
Mohicans, Missionaries and Migrating Colonists: A Guided Tour
New England’s Colonial history—from the perspective of the colonists as well as the indigenous peoples who preceded them—comes alive inside the home to the first missionary to the Mohicans. This National Historic Landmark was originally built around 1742 by the Rev. John Sergeant, the first missionary to… Read More
Designing for Delight: A Garden Tour of Naumkeag
Explore stunning terraces and garden rooms with sweeping views of the Berkshire Hills as our passionate garden guides share the stories behind the creation of this iconic estate. These popular tours take visitors beyond the blooms to focus on the fascinating history of the Choate family, the vision of landscape… Read More
Barnyard Buddies
Spend your Saturday morning exploring the farm and meeting our friendly animals in this program for families! Some examples of activities are egg collecting, feeding the goats, or a farm story time. Every program ends with a visit to the Friendship Garden to help care for the plants growing. Pre-registration… Read More
The Revolutions of The Ashley House: A Guided Tour
Discover how the ideals of liberty and justice played out in complex ways within this 18th-century homestead on a thought-provoking guided tour. This wasn’t just the home of prominent patriot John Ashley and his family, but also of the people they enslaved here. One of them, Elizabeth ‘Mum Bett’… Read More
Self-Guided Tour of the William Cullen Bryant Homestead
Explore the first floor of the William Cullen Bryant Homestead, the beloved home of one of the most important Americans of the 19th century. The home still contains the original collections of the Bryant family. Pack a picnic to enjoy outside and don’t miss the chance to hike… Read More
Literary Legacy: A Guided Tour of the William Cullen Bryant Homestead
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 formative years and later returned for inspiration and retreat. Explore period… Read More
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