Lenox - Benjamin Moore & Co., the national paint manufacturer, has continued its support of The Mount, Edith Wharton’s estate and gardens, with a donation of $20,000. This grant money is earmarked for research and restoration of the original paint colors used in Wharton’s 800-sq.-ft. bedroom suite at The Mount.
Beginning this month, the new funding will be used to complete high-tech analysis of paint colors in Wharton’s boudoir. Later this year, The Mount will launch a study of colors in her adjacent bedroom and bathroom. Based on results of the work, the rooms will be repainted in historically-accurate colors.
“Benjamin Moore is committed to the preservation of America’s architectural legacy,†noted Eileen McComb, director of corporate communications for Benjamin Moore & Co. “The company began its financial and in-kind support of the restoration of The Mount in 2001. As the restoration work continues, so does Benjamin Moore’s commitment, ensuring historical accuracy of the paint colors selected.â€
“Because of Edith Wharton’s importance in the world of interior design, it is critical that we do everything possible to determine what colors she chose for the house,†explains Stephanie Copeland, president of Edith Wharton Restoration, the non-profit organization responsible for preserving and restoring The Mount. “We’re very grateful for Benjamin Moore & Co.’s continued support in this area.â€
Benjamin Moore provided valuable support in 2001, when it contributed materials, expertise and $25,000 to paint the seven principal rooms featured in The Mount’s centennial exhibition of designer-decorated rooms, which continues through the end of the 2004 season. The colors proved so popular that Benjamin Moore features them, along with The Mount, on its website, www.benjaminmoore.com .
Robert Furhoff, a leading historic paint analyst based in Chicago, will complete the new work. Furhoff first visited The Mount last summer, when he made significant breakthroughs in determining the boudoir’s original colors. To finalize this research, laboratory testing will be used to confirm the original ingredients in the paint mix and from that, to gauge whether the colors faded over time. Furhoff will be returning to The Mount this summer to analyze the paint finishes in the bedroom and the bathroom.
The Mount is focusing efforts on continued restoration of Wharton’s private suite in anticipation of the upcoming 100th anniversary of her first bestselling novel, The House of Mirth. Written in 1905 in her bedroom at The Mount, the book’s critical and popular success gave Wharton the confidence to pursue her writing. The author of over 40 books in 40 years, she was the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. In addition, Wharton was an authority on architecture and interior and garden design. The Decoration of Houses, her 1897 book co-authored with Boston architect Ogden Codman, is credited with establishing interior design as a profession in this country.
Benjamin Moore & Co., founded in 1883, is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers and retailers of premium quality architectural, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings. A Berkshire Hathaway company, Benjamin Moore & Co. is headquartered in Montvale, N.J.
The Mount will open for the 2004 season on May 1. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 31. A National Historic Landmark, the secluded Gilded Age estate includes a 42-room mansion, three acres of formal gardens and additional acres of scenic woodlands. For more information, visit www.EdithWharton.org or call (413) 637-1899.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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