Bascom Lodge on Mount Greylock Reopens
ADAMS, Mass. - With the July 1 reopening of Bascom Lodge on Mount Greylock in Adams, Mass., hikers, tourists, nature enthusiasts, and local residents will have a new destination on the Appalachian Trail. "Our goal in revitalizing Bascom Lodge is to transform it into a potent community resource and make it a vibrant part of northern Berkshire County's creative economy. In the process, we want to honor its history and tradition while we give it a new lease on life with a sensitive restoration, new programming, and a new restaurant," said Peter Dudek, one of the lodge's management team.Partnering with the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Peter Dudek, an artist who heads the Storefront Artists project in Pittsfield, Mass., John Dudek, a private chef with 25 years experience in Manhattan, and Brad Parsons, a textile designer and avid naturalist, have a 25-year lease on the venerable lodge. Sensitive to Bascom Lodge's heritage as a landmark constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression, their restoration/renovation will include revamped interiors with new flooring, Arts and Crafts wallpapers, and new furnishings by Stickley. The upgrade has created more private bedroom suites in the lodge with more creature comforts and amenities, while retaining overnight bunkrooms for hikers. Room rates will reflect the lodge's hostel tradition, with suites priced to compete with local inns and bed-and-breakfast accommodations.
In addition, Bascom Lodge is now also a restaurant destination, with two new eateries run by chef John Dudek. A casual café will serve hikers and others with simple, affordable lunches and picnics. On weekend evenings, a restaurant will serve diners a varied and changing menu inspired by the ethnic diversity of regional American cuisine and emphasizing fresh, organic, locally produced foods. During July 4th weekend, the lodge will welcome visitors with a down-home barbeque.
An important aspect of the lodge's renovation is the use of green solutions for lowering energy, water, and oil consumption and lessening the expense of solid and liquid waste disposal. With public and private grants, the new management team plans to incorporate solar energy panels, a grey water system, improved insulation, low-flow plumbing fixtures, energy efficient appliances, and double-glazed storm windows.
One of Bascom Lodge's unique assets is its proximity to the 12,500-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation and the distinctive ecosystems that occur at different elevations of the mountain. Plans call for establishing gardens featuring native and endangered plants. Programming will include Wednesday night presentations by authors, artists, and naturalists in collaboration with local museums and organizations as well as musical offerings and cultural events. Wednesday night presentations will include family-style meals.
The lodge's shop will stock interesting, high quality wares by local artisans, along with essentials for hikers. But one thing might be missing. With the fine dining available here on Mount Greylock, the reopening of Bascom Lodge could spell the end of that hikers' stand-by, the trail mix called gorp, at least in this little corner of the Berkshires.
