image description — Katydid Cottage hearkens back to another age but has been completely renovated for modern living.

Friday Front Porch Feature: Katydid Cottage in Lee

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:20PM / Friday, September 05, 2025Print Story | Email Story

LEE, Mass. — Are you looking for a home with enough space for a big family? Then this is the house for you.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing a house at 850 Summer St.

The house was built in 1920 and exists as a free-standing condominium on the Fox Hollow campus with access to Laurel Lake.

It features five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms within its 2,800 square feet, along with a detached two-car garage. The structure has been completely renovated, with wood floors throughout, three bedrooms with en suites, and a bright and sunny kitchen with updated appliances.

The home has stacked bay windows and a turret room.

The 2013 renovation included new siding, insulation, replacement windows, central air conditioning. The house also received a new house generator in 2022 and a high-efficiency Viessmann natural gas boiler in 2023.

The asking price is $979,000.

We spoke to Katie Williams from Stone House Properties, which has the listing.

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

From the central air-conditioning to a renovated kitchen, this property is truly move-in ready!

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Bright! There is a ton of natural light coming through the 42 replacement windows throughout the house.

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

The Fox Hollow campus has a rich history dating back to the Gilded Age, when the property was once home to George Westinghouse of the Westinghouse Electric Co., and later the Vanderbilt family.

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

This home is perfect for someone who wants modern convenience alongside historic charm.

Are there any standout design features or recent renovations?

The home was renovated top to bottom in 2012, including a new two-car garage and large sunny kitchen.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

The space is cozy yet spacious. There is plenty of room for guests, while still being comfortable for everyday living.

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.

Tags: front porch, Real Estate,

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Victim Identified in Fatal Richmond Crash

Staff ReportsiBerkshires
11:23AM / Friday, October 30, 2026

RICHMOND, Mass. — A 25-year-old South County man died Thursday in the fiery crash on Route 41.

The Berkshire District Attorney's Office on Friday reported that the victim was Christopher Lee Kilmer, 25.

The single-vehicle accident took place on Route 41 in Richmond near 2715 State Road. A Hyundai Sonata driven by Kilmer was travelling northbound when it crossed into the southbound lane and off the road; the car was engulfed in flames when first responders arrived.

According to the DA's Office, West Stockbridge Fire and County Ambulance declared Kilmer dead at 9:53 a.m. when the Fire Department "was able to extinguish the fire."

"It was at this time (when the fire was extinguished) that first responders observed a single occupant in the vehicle and made the declaration of death," according to the press release.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of the body.

On Friday morning, several South County fire departments posted tributes on Facebook to Kilmer, who they reported was a member of the West Stockbridge and Alford fire departments.

"Every first responder carries a fear that one day the next emergency call will involve someone they know, a friend, a neighbor, or someone they love. But perhaps the greatest fear of all is when that call involves one of our own," the post read.