Local Author to Present on Ventfort Hall's 'Gilded Age Ghosts'

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LENOX, Mass. — Local author and journalist Jennifer Huberdeau will discuss the history and alleged paranormal activity surrounding Ventfort Hall during a Tea & Talk presentation on Saturday, Sept. 19.

The lecture, titled "Ventfort's Gilded Age Ghosts," explores the connection between the historic mansion and former resident George Hale Morgan, who died at the estate in April 1911. Huberdeau posits that Morgan's spirit continues to reside on the grounds, observing the mansion's operations and events. Her talk will cover the history of the Gilded Age property, recount reported paranormal encounters from interviewed sources, and share her own experiences at the site.

The topic stems from Huberdeau’s contribution to "Haunted Travels Anthology Vol. 2," a recent collection of 17 haunted destination stories curated by author and medium Sam Baltrusis. In addition to contributing the chapter on Ventfort Hall, Huberdeau served on the anthology's editorial team.

Following the presentation and a audience Q&A session, guests will be served a traditional Ventfort Hall English Tea.

Huberdeau is the features editor at The Berkshire Eagle and an award-winning journalist with over two decades of experience reporting on Berkshire County history and regional paranormal reports. She has previously appeared on television programs including New England Legends and Haunted Encounters: Face to Face.

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 are accommodated as space allows. For reservations, visit GildedAge.org or call us at (413) 637-3206.

All tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable.

 

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

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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