“Berkshire Living” Photo Shoot

Last Thursday, it was beautifully sunny and balmy outdoors, but in the Federal House we were bundled up for winter….well at least for a few hours!  The talented photographer, Ogden Gigli from the award winning magazine “Berkshire Living”, was here at the Inn shooting pics for the January 2011 issue for an upcoming article on “cozy” places to stay in the Berkshires. [We were very honored to be chosen!] I hid all traces of springtime flowers [yellow tulips in the foyer and the dining room forsythia bouquets] and displayed plates of hot cookies just out of the oven, mugs of steamy coffee and trays of soothing brandy. Ogden was very easy to work with and an added treat was learning several “staging” tricks from him when preparing a room to photograph. Look for his latest cover shot on the March/April Food and Dining issue of “Berkshire Living. Now that’s a burger!

Preserving Naumkeg

I recently read in The Berkshire Eagle that preservation work at what has become my favorite historic home in the area, Naumkeag, has begun. It was bolstered by a grant from the National Park Service and the work includes restoration of art on display, repairs to the exterior garden fences as well as the addition of a new welcome center.

This 46-acre estate, located on Prospect Hill in Stockbridge is a classic example of a Gilded Age resident. It was occupied by two generations of the Choate family, and will reopen May 22 for the summer season. A visit is $10 very well spent and conveniently located only 10 minutes from the Federal House!