Thursday, November 15, 2012

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites,Suite 206


Suite 206, Empire Suite 1815-1840
(American Empire)

Impressive Posh & Regal with Antiques of the Napoleonic Era. Draped King Canopy Bed. Whirlpool Bath for 2, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, 27" Cable TV, CD/DVD, Refrigerator, 2-line phone, WIFI, iron/board. Full Candlelight breakfast. 


You really need this R & R from your business! Now, you need to be pampered. You enter your suite and head straight for the terry robe. Your wife draws a warm Jacuzzi bath with honeysuckle bath salts for you. When you return to your chambers, you're impressed with the ostentatious King Louis XV gargoyle settee, but you are happy to know that there is a comfortable cushy loveseat to dream on as you're mesmerized by the fire.

With the draped and canopied bed, the heavy brocade coverlet, the Aubusson carpets, and gold gilded pastoral paintings, the room is opulent, glamorous, and slightly pompous. She hands you a glass of bubbly. It feels so decadent! You can't help but exclaim, "I feel like a king!". She jokingly retorts, "I seem to have misplaced my tiara!"

After a scrumptious meal, you notice that there is a wonderful meeting room at the restaurant. The execs could stay in the suites, and some employees could stay in those charming motels. You decide to schedule your next corporate retreat at the 1896 House.

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.


 


     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

What to do this weekend! Get out your Skis!


Looking for some things to do while staying at the 1896 House? Get out and ski or stay inside and get your cultural fill.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Jiminy Peak Opens this weekend!
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort‎ (less then 20 minutes from the 1896 House)
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA 01237  413-738-5500
Jiminy Peak will open at 9 am this Saturday Nov 10th for skiing and riding!  6 trails (hopefully 8) and 2 chairlifts will be operating Sat- Monday 9 am-4 pm.
Check out http://www.jiminypeak.com/ for more information and details as they have them.

Sweetwood’s Annual Craft Fair
Williamstown, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sweetwood of Williamstown will hold its annual craft fair at its site on 1611 Cold Spring Road (Route 7) Williamstown. Local vendors include The Village Chocolate Shoppe of Bennington, Nicki Steel Photography, K&M Designs of Bennington Jewelry, Paws Boutique Pet Clothing, Quilts & Crafts by Sue Goodell, Sweetwood's Goodies and personally signed books by Vermont author Ellen Perry Berkeley.

The Met-Live in HD: The Tempest
The Clark, Williamstown
12:55 PM
British composer Thomas Adès and Robert Lepage’s innovative production recreates the interior of the La Scala opera house as the magical island venue for the otherworldly arts of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan. Tickets $25/$22 members/$18 students. Purchase online or at 413-458-0638.

Concert Choir & Chamber Choir: La musica de España 
Williams College Department of Music, Williamstown
8:00 PM
Visiting director Katie Gardiner leads the Concert and Chamber Choirs presenting music about Spain or by Spanish composers: La musica de España. The program is the inspiration of visiting director Katie Gardiner who is using her residency to work with a large group of talented singers, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Concert and Chamber Choirs at Williams College for the fall 2012 semester.”  Ms. Gardiner holds bachelors and masters degrees in music education from the Hartt School of Music and a master of music in choral conducting from the Eastman School of Music. The concert is free and open to the public.

Friday, November 2, 2012

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites, Suite 203

Suite 203, Georgian Suite 1725-1835

Formal and Elegant Federal Period Decor. Four Poster King Bed, Whirlpool Bath for Two, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, Combination Living Room/Bedroom. 27" Cable TV, CD/DVD, 2-line phone, WIFI, iron & board. Full candlelight breakfast.

What a formal and handsome room! Your furniture and accessories remind you of the early White House with Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, and Duncan Phyfe style pieces. The unusual color scheme of the bed coverings on your rice carved four poster king bed is a complementary aqua, salmon, and gold that is carried throughout your finely upholstered furnishings.

The sea faring paintings recall our American Revolution and the luxurious and elegant bath salon beckons you to this evening's activities. But for now, you pour yourselves a glass of wine and follow the brook to the stately gazebo so you can watch the flowers grow before the matinee begins at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Later the stars twinkle vividly as you stroll back to your suite from the most interesting & wonderful meal you've just had at The '6 House Pub".You had planned to go elsewhere tomorrow night after visiting the Clark Art Institute and Mass MoCA, but you really want to try the Pub's Lobster Sandwich that everyone is raving about! You'll mention this to Becki who just loved her Grilled Plum & Granny Smith Apple Salad with Gorgonzola and Glazed Walnuts!. Maybe you'll discuss it by the fireplace as you have your nightcap. This has been so restful and relaxing, you know you'll be back again and again!

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.


     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Haunted Happenings around the 1896 House

Photo courtesy of  Karpati Gabor

Thursday, October 25

4:30pm – GHOULS IN THE GALLERIES: Williams College Museum of Art hosts “Ghouls in the Galleries: Exploring the Monsters of WCMA’s Collection.” Monsters in the museum will be rooted out by Deena Bak (’13) and she will aid participants in understanding what these monsters reveal about the nature of fear from a variety of cultural perspectives. Best for older students interested in art and cultural studies. 413-597-2376. 15 Lawrence Hall Drive. Williamstown, MA

6-8pm – BOO BASH: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will host their 18th annual “Boo Bash” for children and families. Come in costume to the Berkshire Towers dormitory building for a costume party & trick or treating. Best for children ages 6-11yo. 413-662-5249. 375 Church Street. North Adams, MA (FREE)
http://www.mcla.edu/ (less then 15 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Friday October 26

PITTSFIELD HALLOWEEN PARADE
Downtown Pittsfield - Pittsfield, MA
7PM (less then 40 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

HAUNTED HOUSE
Lanesborough, 6 - 8 p.m.
Haunted House at the Berkshire Mall. Returning for the third year Village Ambulance Explorer Horrors haunted house. Fri., Join us for some scary fun ;walk through the Haunted house for a screaming good time! All proceeds to benefit the Post 911 Explorer Group.  (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)

Saturday October 27

SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME PET PARADE
Williamstown, 1 - 3 p.m.
Sweetwood of Williamstown, located on 1611 Cold Spring Road, Route 7, is hosting a Spooktacular Costume Pet Parade. There will be door prizes and prizes for costumes. Best Pet Costume - first place $200, second $125, third place $75. Owner/Pet Look-Alike prize $100. Registration runs from 1-2 p.m. Leashes are required.

Saturday October 27 and Sunday October 28

PUMPKIN FEST
Lanesborough (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)
Bradley Farms and Healing Winds are coming together for three consecutive weekends in October to offer entertaining, educational and cultural activities fun and free for the whole family. This family oriented community event will be held at the Bradley Farm on Route 7 in Lanesboro, 545 N Main Street. There will be Native American storytellers, Native American and regional folk arts & crafts, the large Healing Winds tipi and a children’s tipi. Activities to enjoy include guided nature and riverside hikes, natural horsemanship demonstrations and rides, traditional eye & hand coordination games, pumpkin painting, cultural & historical presentations, local entertainment as well as Native American flute and social friendship dances. The Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes will perform. Please call Healing Winds at 413-443-2481 for more information.

HAUNTED HOUSE
Lanesborough, 2 - 8 p.m. (less then 30 minutes from the 1896 House Inn)
Haunted House at the Berkshire Mall. Returning for the third year Village Ambulance Explorer Horrors haunted house. Sat., Join us for some scary fun; walk through the Haunted house for a screaming good time! All proceeds to benefit the Post 911 Explorer Group.

Monday October 29

HALLOWEEN SCREAMINGS
7 pm
Starring: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson
In Swedish with English subtitles
The film screening will be followed by a discussion with Williams College faculty members Denise Buell, Lawrence Raab, Jim Shepard and Christian Thorne.
Lonely, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates. A new friendship develops when Eli, a pale, serious young girl who only comes out at night moves in next door. Coinciding with her arrival is a series of inexplicable disappearances and murders. As Oskar becomes more aware of Eli’s tragic plight, he cannot forsake her. However, Eli knows that to continue living, she must keep relocating. But when Oskar faces his darkest hour, Eli returns to defend him the only way she can.
50 Spring Street, Williamstown, MA

For more events and trick or treating schedules around the area please visit


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Fall Foliage Fun


Nothing beats fall foliage and driving or hiking and seeing the myriad colors and leaf shapes that change hues throughout the foliage season. Wouldn’t it be nice to bring home a bit of fall color and decorate your house for the holidays using some fall leaves.

Here’s some easy fall leaf craft decorating ideas that you can make with some of the beautiful leaves you’ve collected while staying at the 1896 House Inn.


Leaf Lanterns
http://recycledawblog.blogspot.ca/2012/07/how-to-make-leaf-lanterns.html?spref=fb

Pumpkin place cards (with fall leaves)
http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/pumpkin-decorating-projects/page/23/0

Autumn Leaf Luminarias
http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/autumn-illuminated?center=0&gallery=274704&slide=273501

Fall Leaf Initial
http://thethriftyabode.blogspot.com/2011/09/fall-leaf-initial.html

Autumn Leaf Wreath
http://www.craftjr.com/diy-fall-wreath-craft/

Leaf-Covered Candles

http://www.marthastewart.com/269676/leaf-covered-candles

Leafy Centerpiece

Thursday, October 11, 2012

A little more about our Barnside Luxury Suites, Suite 204

Suite 204, Victorian Suite 1837-1901

Large & Nostalgic. Featuring Walnut Antiques & Fainting Couch. King "Sleeping Beauty" Bed. Dual Whirlpool Bath, Gas Fireplace, Dressing Room, 27" Cable TV, CD/DVD, Refrigerator, 2-line phone, WIFI, iron/board. Full candlelight breakfast. 

You had both planned an intimate getaway but having chosen the Victorian suite, you were a little apprehensive that he wouldn't be comfortable with too much femininity. With hesitation, you opened the door. The weighted and sophisticated interpretation relieved you while the velveteen tufted sofa and walnut "Sleeping Beauty" bed played to your fancy.

The lavish, silken damask bed coverings were a perfect foil for the tapestries that surrounded you. The room, possessing a grand space, had a warm and enveloping feel. No overdone flowers and lace here! Whew! He loved it! You both appreciated the soft glow of the Tiffany style lamp in the living area and over the dual whirlpool bath.

After a cozy tête-à-tête with a glass of sherry on the two- sided fainting couch, you went off to dreamland like a princess and her prince. Now, after a marvelous night, what you really want to do is nothing! Out of self respect you decide to take the paper to read by that bucolic pond at "Pondside". Maybe you'll even feed the ducks before breakfast! Then, you're off to a perfect day of golf and back to a cocktail by the brook. You'll really have to tell Matthew and Barbara about this place!

A full country candlelight breakfast is provided. With advance notice, we are happy to accommodate special dietary restrictions such as "low carb", "low fat", vegetarian", etc. and of course any food allergies.


 


     Make a reservation! Or check our some our other Barnside Suites at 

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fall into the Berkshires


This weekend and next are going to be peak season for fall foliage leaf peeping in the Berkshires.



Go for a fall foliage drive up to the summit of Mt Greylock and check out the most beautiful views from this 3,491-foot mountain, or take a hike and check out the trails. Mt Greylock is a great place for birdwatching as well. Mt Greylock is less then 1/2 an hour from the 1896 House Inn. 

Driving map with vantage points

Summit Hikes (check out the foliage for miles and miles around!!!)

Full Mt, Map

Mount Greylock was the first state reservation in Massachusetts, established in1898. It contains over 68 miles of hiking trails, including 13 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Birding: The boreal zone (especially 3,000 feet and above) contains what may be the state's only breeding Blackpoll Warbler. Swainson's Thrushes also nest in the damp coniferous forest, as do White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncoes. Mourning Warblers still nest in cutover, regenerating areas. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is a strongly suspected nester, and the Olive-sided Flycatcher nested regularly in an area that has now grown up to tall spruces. Historically, a small population of Bicknell's Thrushes nested near the summit. (from http://www.massaudubon.org/Birds_and_Birding/IBAs/site_summary.php?getsite=6)

Birds of Mount Greylock
INFORMATION GUIDE & SIGHTING LIST