LENOX, Mass. — Architect, author and historian Gary Lawrance returns to speak at Ventfort Hall and will give a visual presentation on Elm Court: Berkshires Estate of Emily Vanderbilt and William Sloane on June 28 at 4 pm as part of the museum's continuing summer series of Tuesday Talks.

 

A tea will follow his presentation.

 

Elm Court, designed by Peabody and Sterns for Emily Vanderbilt and her husband William Sloane, is one of the largest shingle style-homes in America.

 

Lawrance will discuss the background of both Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane and the Sloane family, as well as an overview of the estates built in the Berkshires during the Gilded Age, why the Sloanes choose to build their estate in the Berkshires and present archival images of the mansion.

 

Lawrance frequently lectures on Gilded Age architecture, landscapes and society for historical, garden, preservation and arts organizations, locally and nationally.  He also annually curates a symposium on the Gilded Age, held at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY, and is currently vice-president of the American Country House Foundation based in New York City.

 

Lawrance has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Newsday, New York Social Daily and has written for Architectural Digest, Quest magazine, as well as for his Mansions of the Gilded Age blog.  He has founded four Facebook and Instagram media sites, Mansions of the Gilded Age and The Gilded Age Society with a combined following of over 300,000.

 

Tickets are $30 for members and with advance reservation; $35 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Reservations are required as seats are limited. For reservations call us at (413) 637-3206. All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. Proof of vaccination and ID are required. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.

 

The summer series of Tea & Talks is sponsored in part by board member Lucille Landa and William Landa.