Ventfort Hall Presents A Restorative History Of The Morgan Lenox Berkshire Cottage

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LENOX, Mass. — Join Executive Director Wendy Healey for an exploration of Ventfort Hall, the 28,000-square-foot brick and brownstone "cottage" built in 1893 for Sarah and George Morgan.

The talk will be held on Aug. 25 at 4pm.

As the sister of industrialist J.P. Morgan, Sarah Morgan's estate represented the height of Gilded Age society in Lenox. This presentation traces the mansion's journey from its origins as a pinnacle of opulence to its heroic rescue from the brink of destruction, stated a press release.

A tea will be served after her presentation.

Illustrated by a collection of archival images, the talk offers a deep dive into the architectural and social history of the estate. 

Morgan family photographs, follow its bohemian mid-century chapters during the Festival House and Fokine Ballet eras, and a period of subsequent change and physical deterioration.

The heart of this talk highlights the pivotal turning point in 1994, when a dedicated effort began to save the structure. Healey will share insights into the strategic initiatives and ongoing restoration journey. 

Wendy Healey is the Executive Director of Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, where she oversees strategic initiatives, fundraising, and community partnerships. She holds a BA in English Literature and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. During her tenure over the past three years, Healey has focused on the critical restoration and sustainability of the estate, leveraging her background in finance and the arts to ensure this architectural landmark continues to serve as a vibrant cultural center.

Tickets are $45. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Students 22 and under are $22. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/ventforthall/items/722956/?full-items=yes&flow=1597425 or call  (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.

 

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Boston Red Sox's Wally Visits Morris Elementary School

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
LENOX, Mass. — Students at Morris Elementary School, sporting red, navy and green, along with plenty of baseball memorabilia, welcomed Big League Brian Dwyer and his iconic buddy, Boston Red Sox Wally the Green Monster, as he shared his love of reading with the community's future leaders.
 
"Reading opens up so many doors in so many different situations and areas in life. We have so many Boston Red Sox fans, and then bringing Wally here just reinforces the love that Wally has for reading," Principal Holly Soules said. "Kids want to be like Wally, so it's really fun to see the connection between the kids.
 
Wally's visits to the western part of the state are "rare," making his appearance at Morris Elementary especially timely following the school's recent library revamp, which prominently features one of the school's mantras: "Readers are leaders."
 
The event gave students a unique opportunity to interact with a character they may have only seen from afar at Fenway Park or on television.
 
"It was my favorite assembly of all time because I got to do stuff with Wally," fourth grader Tanner Wood said. "I like seeing him because I've never gotten that close to seeing Wally, and I got to like high five him and stuff." 
 
For the last decade, Big League Brian and Wally have encouraged students to read more while showing them ways to make reading fun and engaging through the "Wally's Making Books Come Alive" program. Schools can book a visit with Wally here
 
Using special bookmarks and a few silly antics from the goofy monster, Wally teaches students different strategies to make reading easier and more enjoyable for young learners, including reading aloud, acting out scenes, visualizing the story and using their imaginations to become more engaged readers.
 
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