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2nd Annual “Weekend of the Gilded Age” - August 19, 2008
LENOX - Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum and The Lenox Chamber of Commerce announce the second annual “Weekend of the Gilded Age” September 12 through 14, 2008. Experience the ambiance of a time gone by as Lenox, MA celebrates this era of opulence with a wide variety of events, including “A Gilded Age Celebration” honoring Tina Packer of Shakespeare and Company at Ventfort Hall and a countywide family picnic at The Mount.
According to Lenox Chamber of Commerce Director Ralph Petillo, “The Weekend of the Gilded Age, spearheaded by Ventfort Hall and the Lenox Chamber, is meant to attract visitors from all walks of life to our area for a slice of life in the Gilded Age.” Jeffrey Folmer, Executive Director of Ventfort Hall adds, “This weekend is a wonderful collaboration of several organizations and businesses, and certainly helps fulfill Ventfort Hall’s mission to bring the Gilded Age to life. The area is steeped in the history and treasures of the period and we’re delighted to share with the world!”
The weekend kicks off 7:30pm on Friday evening with “Sarah Morgan’s Soiree” at Ventfort Hall named for the sister of J.P. Morgan, Sarah Morgan, who built Ventfort Hall in 1893. It includes Victorian parlor games, a light buffet of Gilded Age treats, wine, port and mulled cider and, for this special evening, the exhibit “Les Petites Dames de Mode” (The Little Ladies of Fashion) will be open. For an extra special treat, limited access will be granted to Ventfort Hall’s second floor for the first time in decades.
On Saturday, the Annual “Lenox Tub Parade” begins at 1 p.m. This recreation of the historic parade of horse drawn carriages (known as tubs) showcases the colors of the season as beautifully decorated carriages, ladies in lavish chapeaus and gentlemen dressed in their coaching finest, parade through the streets of Lenox. An “Ice Cream Social” at Ventfort Hall will immediately follow the parade at approximately 2pm. Ventfort Hall’s “Picnics on the Porch” will be available from 11:30 am to 3pm on the grand Verandah overlooking the sweeping Great Lawn, or visitors may pack a picnic lunch of their own.
One of the weekend’s highlights is “A Gilded Age Celebration” on Saturday evening at 6:00pm. Honoring Tina Packer of Shakespeare & Company in recognition of her many contributions to the community, in typical Gilded Age style, it may prove to be the social event of the season. It will showcase Ventfort Hall as the grand manor house the Morgan family meant it to be. Once again Les Petites Dames de Mode will be available for viewing and the second floor will be open with limited access. Folmer notes, “This home was built with entertaining in mind, and the timing was right for us to be able to open our second floor for the first time to the general public since we opened in 2000. We thought this would add the perfect touch to our celebrations.”
The weekend culminates with “Gilded Age Family Picnics” from 10am to 4pm on Sunday at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Estate and Gardens. Festivities are planned for throughout the day including children’s activities, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own lunches to enjoy a picnic on the stately grounds. The house will be open for touring, as will the gardens, and cider and donuts will be for sale on the Terrace Café.
Throughout the weekend, the Berkshire Scenic Railway will provide an added touch with special train rides from their Victorian Station and Museum in Lenoxdale complete with Gilded Age exhibits.
Tickets to the various events are priced as follows:
Sarah Morgan’s Soiree - $35
The Lenox Tub Parade - Free
Ice Cream Social - $5 and “Picnics on the Porch” - $10
A Gilded Age Celebration - $175
Gilded Age Family Picnics at The Mount - $5 per adult, $2 per child under 18 for the entire days worth of events
Berkshire Scenic Railway Train Rides - $5 - $15, depending upon age & excursion.
Committee Members are: Rebekah and Richard Wise, Lorraine Becker, Ethan and Jamie Berg, Lynn Brady, Jeffrey Folmer, James and Georgianne Harwood, Amy Lindner-Lesser, Mary Merle, Ralph Petillo,Birgit Vetromile.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the events, call the Lenox Chamber of Commerce at 413-637-3646 or 866-51-LENOX or Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum at 413-637-3206. You may also find information on the web at www.Lenox.org or www.GildedAge.org. |
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