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The property is 2,820 square feet with 4 acres. It comes with a dishwasher, washer, dryer, gas oven, refrigerator, range, and range hood.
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The property has a river rock fireplace, and two sunrooms to relax in
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Lincoln Log Haven

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built in 1989.

BECKET, Mass — Looking for a lincoln log home where you can feel cozy and private? Then this house is for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are discussing a log house at 236 Surriner Road.

The house has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and was built in 1989. The asking price is $735,000.

The property is 2,820 square feet with 4 acres. It comes with a dishwasher, washer, dryer, gas oven, refrigerator, range, and range hood.

The property has a river rock fireplace, and two sunrooms to relax in. A spiral staircase will take you to the primary suite and bathroom with a walk and shower and claw foot tub.

We spoke to Leslie Claus Van Hise with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Barnbrook Realty.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

 

Claus Van Hise: True log homes are a rarity in the Berkshires, and this one stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship. From the moment you step inside, you can see the care and pride of ownership from the original builders. It’s a home that was thoughtfully created and lovingly maintained.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

Claus Van Hise: "For a millennia, it was a forest," so begins a short story written by one of the owners. He chose the lot because, as he put it, "Each time I visited my son in this wooded mountain hamlet, a special calm and tranquility would overcome me..." With his daughter, they cleared much of the homesite and path into the woods themselves and built an 800 sq/ft Lincoln log cabin as a summer retreat. A decade later, they expanded it with a 2,000 sq/ft addition. 'Little by little, the house was complemented with things of beauty and convenience that brought pleasure, peace, and happiness" —earning its beloved name, the 'Log Mahal'.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

Claus Van Hise: Whether a buyer is looking for a full-time or part-time living or even as a part time rental to offset costs, this home is ideal for the buyer with discerning taste—someone who values exceptional craftsmanship, craves the serenity of nature, and appreciates the warmth and timeless character unique to a true log home.

What was your first impression when walking into this home? 

Claus Van Hise: From the moment I stepped onto the front porch and through the double doors, I felt an immediate sense of welcome. The warmth, character, and exceptional craftsmanship of the home were instantly apparent—it truly felt like home.

Are there any standout design features and/or recent renovations? 

Claus Van Hise: Standout features include the striking natural river rock fireplace with integrated log storage, a charming loft on the main floor, and a spacious second-floor primary suite. The suite is crowned by a cupola designed as a private sanctuary, offering tranquil 360-degree views—a truly unique retreat

Have you heard any memorable reactions or feedback from visitors? 

Claus Van Hise: Visitors often respond with an immediate 'Wow,' especially when they see the stunning river rock fireplace. Despite the open floor plan, many remark on how the home seems to 'hug' you with its warmth and cozy, inviting atmosphere.

What kind of neighborhood is it? 

Claus Van Hise: The town of Becket is a rural, arts-centered community celebrated for its natural beauty and cultural gems like Jacob’s Pillow. The neighborhood reflects this charm, with wooded hills, abundant wildlife, and close proximity to hiking trails and year-round outdoor recreation.

You can find out more about this house on its listing.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice or an offer to sell. If you're interested in having your property featured, please contact our sales department at sales@boxcarmedia.com.


 





Tags: front porch,   Real Estate,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Art Center Announces Fall 2026 Classes & Workshops

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) invites artists of all ages and experience levels to participate in  lineup of Fall 2026 classes and workshops.

With programs offered at Citizens' Hall in Stockbridge as well as partner locations including Berkshire Music School, WANDER Berkshires, and the Mass Audubon's Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, BAC's fall season celebrates creativity through ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, photography, and more.

Ceramics students will find opportunities to develop their skills this fall. Faculty Artist Paula Shalan returns with Tableware: Creating with Soft Slabs, where students create functional pottery such as mugs, tumblers, and bowls, as well as Cut, Add, and Stretch: Creating with Soft Slabs, which explores more contemporary approaches to handbuilding. Jess Cropper-Alt teaches Timeless & Tactile: Handbuilding Traditions, while Donna Bernstein leads Wheel Throwing for All, an all-levels course featuring demonstrations, individualized instruction, and ample studio time.

For those looking to try clay for the first time, Lorimer Burns offers Try Your Hand at the Pottery Wheel, a welcoming two-hour introduction to wheel throwing. BAC also offers fun, social workshops including Wall Pocket Party, perfect for beginners, friends, couples, and families with children ages 10 and up, and Pottery Night: Beer Stein Social, an evening of creativity and community where participants craft their own handmade ceramic beer stein.

Mixed media and printmaking enthusiasts will find an inspiring variety of offerings throughout the season. Jody King Camarra teaches Color Theory Through Collage, Print Lab: Collagraph, Drypoint & Relief, Working in a Series: Creating Cohesive Collages, Monoprint Magic, and concludes the season with the festive workshop Handmade Holidays: Winter Layers in Gel Plate Printmaking.

Additional printmaking opportunities include Eco-Printing: Basics and Beyond with Mallorey Caron, where students create beautiful botanical prints using real flowers and leaves, Gelatin Plate Printmaking with Johanna Merfeld, an introduction to playful experimentation with layering, texture, stencils, and image transfers, and Image Transfers & Mixed Media, where Diane Firtell shares versatile techniques that can stand alone or enhance existing artwork.

Photographers can celebrate autumn alongside Thad Kubis, whose seasonal workshops include Photography of Daniel Chester French's Studio at Chesterwood in Stockbridge and Photographing Fall Colors in the Berkshires at Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Pittsfield.

Painters and drawing enthusiasts will discover classes ranging from foundational techniques to expressive exploration. Jill McLean returns with Watercolor Foundations and Watercolor Landscapes at Berkshire Music School, along with shorter, 1-day workshops including Berkshire Polaroids in Watercolor and Handmade Holidays: Watercolor Bookmarks.

Wednesday Nelena Sorokin offers Creative Writing & Abstraction, where students use stream-of-consciousness writing to inspire expressive abstract paintings, along with Painting Basics, Two-Dimensional Composition Workshop, and the popular Abstract Painting: Color, Design and Spirit. Artists looking for a relaxed, supportive studio environment can also enjoy the return of Friday Painting Studio, featuring a new and more accessible tuition rate and experienced facilitators who provide encouragement, feedback, and creative community while participants work on independent projects.

BAC's monthly workshop series at WANDER Berkshires in Pittsfield also continues this fall. Held on the second Saturday of each month, these welcoming two-hour sessions invite participants to sketch, paint, journal, and experiment in a relaxed community setting—no long-term commitment required. The series begins September 12 with Commonplace Visual Journaling led by Kaily Ritz, followed by Mini Nature Assemblage Boxes with Johanna Merfeld on October 10, Indoor Urban Sketching with Jill McLean on November 14, and concludes December 12 with Watercolor Reset for the New Year, led by BAC Executive Director Laura Thompson.

For a complete schedule of classes and workshops or to register, visit www.berkshireartcenter.org/classes.

 

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