Experience Gilded Age style and splendor at this marvelous estate renowned for its elegant gardens and rare Berkshire “cottage.”
Naumkeag is a public garden and historic home in the heart of the Berkshires, Massachusetts.
This 48-acre architectural masterpiece is, at its heart, a family home. In 1884, Joseph Choate, a prominent New York attorney and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, and his wife, Caroline, hired the famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White to design a summer retreat. The result was a 44-room shingle-style home, where several generations of the Choate family lived until daughter Mabel Choate bequeathed it to The Trustees in 1958.
Our daily schedule and program offerings vary depending on the season. Please visit the “Hours and Admissions” tab for more information. Pre-registration for tickets is required for our fall, winter, and spring events, and strongly encouraged for general admission in the summer.
During the summer, glimpse inside the 44-room historic house and explore 8 acres of beautifully curated garden rooms, including the world-famous Blue Steps. Garden lovers will appreciate the stunning landscapes and seasonal blooms, while visitors are welcome to relax on the spacious lawns and take in the sweeping views. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn or stop by our museum shop to grab a light snack or refreshing drink and browse through a thoughtfully curated selection of gifts and mementos inspired by the estate’s rich history and horticultural beauty.
Explore the story behind this modernist masterpiece on a Guided Garden Tour (included with General Admission), or join us for our Architecture Tour (also included with General Admission) to learn more about Naumkeag’s exterior architectural features and how the house has evolved since 1886. The tours are spread throughout the day, Thursday – Sunday, with that days schedule listed on the board at check in.
For a look at the servants’ life at Naumkeag—and rarely seen areas of the house, including the 3rd floor—sign up for a Backstairs Tour (separate registration required) offered daily through the summer season. Pre-registration for this tour is required as space is limited.
See our Upcoming Events for information about after-hours programs and wellness classes such as Sunset Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, and more!
General Admission
Experience Naumkeag in every season with our beloved outdoor events: The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show, Winterlights, and the Daffodil & Tulip Festival.
In the fall, the gardens come alive with the magic of The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show, featuring more than a thousand hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns, whimsical displays of pumpkins and gourds, and vibrant seasonal blooms.
As winter settles in, Naumkeag transforms into a glowing wonderland during Winterlights, where thousands of shimmering lights illuminate the grounds in a breathtaking holiday display.
Following Winterlights, the property closes briefly before reopening in the spring for the Daffodil & Tulip Festival, welcoming guests to stroll through gardens bursting with early spring blooms in a stunning celebration of color and renewal.
During these events, the historic house is open on a limited basis. For event details, hours, and tickets, please visit the “Hours and Admissions” tab.
Naumkeag is now open for the Summer Season!
General Admission
Summer Hours (May 23–August 31)
Additional Information
Tours
To schedule a group tour, contact fkerr@thetrustees.org. We welcome school and youth groups for experiential educational programs. Please visit our Education Page for details and to initiate a visit request.
5 Prospect Hill Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Telephone: 413.298.8138
E-mail: naumkeag@thetrustees.org
Directions
From Points East:
Mass Turnpike (I-90), Exit 10. Take Rt. 102 West approx. 5 mi. into Stockbridge. Turn right onto Pine St. and bear left onto Prospect Hill Rd. Follow for 0.5 mi. to entrance.
From Points West:
I-90 East to Exit B3, NY Rt. 22 South. Take 1st left onto Rt. 102 East. Follow approx. 7.5 mi. to Stockbridge. Turn left onto Pine St., then bear left onto Prospect Hill Rd. Follow directions above.
Naumkeag encompasses a bucolic country estate including its 44-room “cottage” and 8-acres of formal gardens, as well as acres of meadows and farmland. Due to its age as well as steep, uneven terrain and multiple sets of stairs, Naumkeag is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.
Hours change seasonally as we host variety of annual programs, including the Daffodil & Tulip Festival, the Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show, and Winterlights. Parts of the house may be open depending on the time of your visit. The gift shop and concessions are open seasonally.
Due to the age of the site and its steep and uneven terrain, Naumkeag is not ADA compliant and is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible.
Please contact fkerr@thetrustees.org with questions.
Restrooms are available when the property is open.
A self-guided landscape tour brochure provided with admission to house and/or gardens. Download a trail map here.
Please Note: If you are visiting the property during one of our signature festivals or private events the parking, access to the property, and other features will be different. Keep an eye on social media or the FAQS/confirmation emails for your event for the most updated information.
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Discover revitalized public gardens and historic houses at our special places across Massachusetts.
Since the 1870s, Joseph and Caroline Choate had summered in Stockbridge with their young family. Like so many others, both then and now, they fell in love with the Berkshires and decided to build a summer retreat of their own. In 1884, Choate sought the advice of his friend, Charles McKim, of the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White. The result was Naumkeag – a gracious 44-room “cottage” with breathtaking views over the Housatonic River Valley.
"We went today to see the gardens and grounds only (covid) and it was really great. The Trustees did a great job staggering the people so it wasn’t crowded and we could still enjoy the wonderful gardens."
– Sirigil, From Needham, MA
