A National Historic Landmark, this Colonial-era house and museum and garden tells the story of the Stockbridge Mohicans and missionary John Sergeant.
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 Mohican Indians. In the mid-1730s, the Mohicans living in western Massachusetts permitted a young minister to live among them. The Rev. John Sergeant lived in a simple cabin until he married Abigail Williams in 1739 and built The Mission House around 1742. Originally located on Prospect Hill in Stockbridge, this National Historic Landmark was carefully disassembled, moved, and restored by Mabel Choate—who owned Naumkeag, just up the hill—at its present location between 1926 and 1930.
Take a look at the property’s entrancing horticultural legacy, with a self-guided tour through a Colonial Revival garden designed by noted landscape architect Fletcher Steele between 1928 and 1933. A tidewater cypress fence encloses a dooryard garden of circular brick paths, while a kitchen garden divided by a crushed-stone walkway contains 100 herbs, perennials, and annuals that had culinary or medicinal value to early colonists. A house brims with an outstanding collection of 18th-century American furniture and decorative arts. Elsewhere, a small Native American museum offers Mohican artifacts gathered by Mabel Choate in the early 1930s and shares perspectives and insights from Mohicans today.
Fees
Members: FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $5; Child FREE. Pre-booked groups of 15 or more receive a discount; call 413.298.3239 for details. Admission fee includes tour.
19 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Telephone: 413.298.3239
E-mail naumkeag@thetrustees.org
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Points East: Mass Turnpike (I-90), Exit 10 to Rt. 20 East. Take 1st right onto Rt. 102 West/Pleasant St. Follow for approx. 5 mi. Pleasant St. becomes Main St. The Mission House is on the right at corner of Main St. and Sergeant St.
From Points West: I-90 East to Exit B3, NY Rt. 22 South. Follow Rt. 22 to MA Rt. 102 East. Go approx. 7.5 mi. to Main St. The Mission House is at corner of Main and Sergeant. Limited roadside parking.
The Mission House was built c.1742 by Rev. John Sergeant, who had established a mission for Mohican people in the southern Berkshires. Originally located on Prospect Hill, this National Historic Landmark was carefully disassembled, moved, and restored by Mabel Choate at its present location on Main Street between 1926 and 1930.
I saw this house as part of the Stockbridge Christmas House tours. This was such a lovely walk through a time when life was more simple. The Mission house reminds me how life can be less complicated and beautiful - I enjoyed the tour very much.
– Jill F., TripAdvisor