NAUMKEAG Restoration of the Pyramid Stairs the Trustees of Reservations Stockbridge, Massachusetts Project Data Date: 2006-2007

NAUMKEAG Project Description: Restoration of the Pyramid Stairs Naumkeag, designed by McKim, Mead & White, was the summer The Trustees of Reservations home and Country Place Era estate of Joseph Choate and his Stockbridge, Massachusetts family. The estate, built on a hillside in the Berkshire Mountains, consists of 45-acres and several distinct garden rooms. In 1926, Project Data Fletcher Steele began his 32-year working relationship with Date: 2006-2007 daughter Mabel Choate and the entire property was improved One flight of bluestone stairs physically and aesthetically. Context: Berkshire Mountains in western Mass. In 1959, The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) acquired Construction Date: 2007 Naumkeag, which is a National Historic Landmark (listed in 2007) and an outstanding example of a historic designed landscape. Since 1959, major portions of the house and pieces of the designed landscape have been restored. In 2006, TTOR decided to restore a set of bluestone stairs that Fletcher Steele designed to connect the Afternoon Garden with the South Lawn and the brick walkway with water rill that leads to the famous Blue Stairs. The Pyramid Stairs have bluestone risers and turf treads. Originally built in the early 1930s, the stairs slowly moved downhill and several stones were broken and leaning and the turf was in poor condition, resulting in a potentially dangerous and aesthetically unpleasing situation. Elmore Design Collaborative (EDC) was hired to assess the Existing conditions, Aug. 30, 2006 existing conditions and prepare construction drawings and technical specifications for the restoration work. Steele’s original drawings and period photographs were used to guide the restoration. Work began with a detailed topographic survey. EDC carefully hand-excavated behind the stairs to see how Steele built them. The restored stairs include new stainless steel attachments, some replacement bluestone risers, Geobloc2 turf reinforcement, and new sod. EDC worked closely with TTOR to meet their needs and time schedule, while restoring this significant piece of this historic designed landscape. During restoration, May 2007 During restoration, June 14, 2007 Restoration complete, July 20, 2007 .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Return of Organization Exempt from Income
r Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax Form 990 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (except black lung Under section 501(c), LOOL benefit trust or private foundation) Department or me Ti2asury Internal Revenue Service 1 The organization may have to use a copy of this return to satisfy state reporting requirements A For the 2002 calendar year, or tax year period beginning APR 1 2002 and i MAR 31, 2003 B Check if Please C Name of organization D Employer identification number use IRS nddmss label or [::]change print or HE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 04-2105780 ~changa s~ Number and street (or P.0 box if mad is not delivered to street address) Room/suite E Telephone number =Initial return sPecisc572 ESSEX STREET 978 921-1944 Final = City or town, state or country, and ZIP +4 F Pccoun6npmethad 0 Cash [K] Accrual return Other =Amended~'d~° [BEVERLY , MA 01915 licatio" ~ o S ~~ . El Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts H and I are not applicable to section 527 organizations. :'dl°° must attach a completed Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) . H(a) Is this a group retain for affiliates ~ Yes OX No G web site: OWW " THETRUSTEES . ORG H(b) It 'Yes,' enter number of affiliates 10, J Organization type (cnakonly one) " OX 501(c) ( 3 ) 1 (Insert no) = 4947(a)(1) or = 52 H(c) Are all affiliates inciuded9 N/A 0 Yes 0 No (If -NO,- attach a list ) K Check here " 0 if the organization's gross receipts are normally not more than $25,000 .
[Show full text]
NAUMKEAG Page 1 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form
NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION NPS Form 10-900 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 NAUMKEAG Page 1 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 1. NAME OF PROPERTY Historic Name: Naumkeag Other Name/Site Number: N/A 2. LOCATION Street & Number: 5 Prospect Hill Road Not for publication: City/Town: Stockbridge Vicinity: State: MA County: Berkshire Code: 003 Zip Code: 01262 3. CLASSIFICATION Ownership of Property Category of Property Private: X Building(s): ___ Public-Local: District: _X_ Public-State: ___ Site: ___ Public-Federal: ___ Structure: ___ Object: ___ Number of Resources within Property Contributing Noncontributing 10 buildings 11 sites 2 structures objects 23 Total Number of Contributing Resources Previously Listed in the National Register: 1 Name of Related Multiple Property Listing: NPS Form 10-900 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 NAUMKEAG Page 2 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 4. STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this ____ nomination ____ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property ____ meets ____ does not meet the National Register Criteria. Signature of Certifying Official Date State or Federal Agency and Bureau In my opinion, the property ____ meets ____ does not meet the National Register criteria.
[Show full text]
As a Benefit of Your New England Air Museum Membership, You Are
As a benefit of your New England Air Museum membership, you are entitled to the following privileges at participating North American Reciprocal Museum Association institutions: Free/member admission during regular museum hours; Member discounts at museum shop; Member discounts on concert/lecture tickets. Simply present your New England Air Museum membership card validated with NARM identification to receive your benefits. Guests are not included unless they present a current membership card validated with accepted NARM identification. Some museums restrict benefits. It is always advisable to contact the institution prior to your visit to avoid any confusion. Visit https://narmassociation.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/09/NARM_FALL_2019.pdf for a full list of participating NARM institutions. NARM Members Fall 2019: Connecticut: Massachusetts: America's First Law School Acton, Discovery Museum Connecticut Historical Society Addison Gallery of American Art Connecticut River Museum Arlington Historical Society Museum & Jason Davison Art Center at Wesleyan University Russell House Harriet Beecher Stowe Center Berkshire Botanical Garden Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum Berkshire Museum Litchfield History Museum Beverly Historical Society Lyman Allyn Art Museum Cahoon Museum of American Art Mattatuck Museum Cape Ann Museum New Britain Museum of American Art Cape Cod Museum of Art New Britain Youth Museum and Nature Chesterwood Center Clark Art Institute Noah Webster House & West Hartford Worcester Art Museum* Historical Society Concord Museum* The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Cyrus Dallin Art Museum The Mark Twain House & Museum Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art University The William Benton Museum of Art at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College University of Connecticut Duxbury Rural & Historical Society Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History Edward M.
[Show full text]
Greater Boston's Season of “Social Trust”
EXPLORATIONS Greater Boston’s Season of “Social Trust” Getting away and outside safely this summer by nell porter brown Clockwise from top: Broadmoor and Ipswich River sanctuaries (Mass Audubon); Naumkeag Estate (Trustees); Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins (Appalachian Mountain Club); and Crane Beach (Trustees) the pandemic—until they became overrun. n late May, Harvard T.H. Chan School rules. “Importantly, the burden is not just “We had a lot of visitors using sites as recre- of Public Health assistant professor Jo- on parks and park rangers, but it’s also on ation areas,” reports Gail Yeo, vice president seph Allen put it bluntly: “This is going people. And to get through this, it’s going for wildlife sanctuaries and programs. People I to be a very different summer.” to take a great deal of social trust,” Allen brought dogs, even where they are prohibited. Even as many parks and preserves that repeatedly emphasized during a press brief- Parked cars spilled out of lots, illegally jam- closed in the early days of the COVID-19 ing after the release of Massachusetts gover- ming public roads. Landscapes outside the pandemic began reopening this spring, nor Charlie Baker’s cautious, multi-phased designated trails were being trampled—or visitor access came with strict protocols reopening plan. “We should view going to used as rest rooms. “People were just really designed not only to prevent viral spread- parks and other activities that are starting to exploring in a way that was kind of excit- ing, but also to protect natural areas from reopen as a privilege,” Allen added, “which ing,” says Yeo, “but completely out of control.” damage caused by overcrowding.
[Show full text]
By Susan Ann.Maney
PRESERVING DESIGN INTENT IN THE HISTORIC LANDSCAPE by Susan Ann.Maney ’ A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Public Horticulture Administration December 1990 Copyright 1990 Susan Ann Maney All Rights Reserved c PRESERVING DESIGN INTENT IN THE HISTORIC LANDSCAPE by Susan Ann Maney Approved : Dr. James E. Swasey, Ph.D Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved : Dr. James E. Swasey, Ph.D Coordinator of the Longwood Graduate Program in Public Horticulture Approved : Carol E. Hoffecker, Ph.D. Acting Associate Provost for Graduate Studies TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .............................................. V Chapter 1 . RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .......................... 1 Review of Literature .......................... 1 Selection of Case Study ....................... 9 Procedures and Justification.................. 11 2 . A MODEL FOR DESIGN INTENT PRESERVATION....... 13 Designed Historic Landscape Management Policy . 14 Statement of Significance.................. 14 Establish Lines of Authority ............... 17 Record Keeping and Documentation........... 19 Use of the Designed Historic Landscape ..... 22 3 . APPLICATION OF MODEL TO THE CASE STUDY ........ 27 Description of Case Study ..................... 28 Application of Model to Naumkeag .............. 33 Statement of Significance .................. 33 Establish Lines of Authority ............... 47 Record Keeping and Documentation..........
[Show full text]
The Green Agenda: Explore the Lush Parks and Gardens of Massachusetts
The green agenda: Explore the lush parks and gardens of Massachusetts Sarah Baxter discovers literary connections and military history on her trip to New England Sarah Baxter Friday, 9 August 2013 Although I was 50 floors up a steel-and-glass skyscraper, looking down on one of the larger cities in the US, I felt curiously close to nature. The view from the Prudential Tower's 700ft-high observatory made it clear that, though undeniably urban, Boston's heart is green. The colour courses through the city. Most obvious from my eyrie was the Emerald Necklace, a seven-mile chain of open spaces masterminded in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame). From Boston Common – the country's oldest park – it snakes down leafy Commonwealth Avenue, before sprawling to the Back Bay Fens, Jamaica Pond and beyond. To the north I could see the green esplanade of the Charles River (where, earlier, I'd watched a turtle dig a nest). To the east curved Rose F Kennedy Greenway, created when the elevated highway was torn down. In all directions there were abundant trees, packed between rows of handsome redbricks like protective bubble wrap. The viridescence runs deeper, too. It swirls in the psyche of a city that's 20 per cent Irish- American. It even infiltrates Boston's obsessional sports scene: the emerald-jerseyed Celtics play basketball at TD Garden; the Red Sox's baseball stadium, Fenway Park, has trademarked the colour "Fens Green". All of which is to say that this was an appropriate start, because I'd come to Massachusetts to admire its parks and gardens.
[Show full text]
Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert Programs, Summer, 1977
L« #W- ? K*W ."* r »^mi 'tfr. *** ,*^ W«- :- *<*? sJ^WSk ^~ *t*3?" *38**' ! -* i I s \ idJfc'l* HH8Hrp rt i I T I SMIRNOFF® VODKA. 80 & 100 PROOF. DISTILLED FROM GRAIN. STE. PIERRE SMIRNOFF FLS. (DIVISION OF HEUBLEIN. INCORPORATED ) HARTFORD. CON NECTI CUT BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SEI[1 OZAWA JL IU Pirc, /,ir /I Seiji Ozawa, Music Director Colin Davis, Principal Guest Conductor Joseph Silverstein, Assistant Conductor Ninety- Sixth Season 1976-1977 The Trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc. Talcott M. Banks, President Philip K. Allen, Vice President Sidney Stoneman, Vice-President Mrs. Harris Fahnestock, Vice-President John L. Thorndike, Treasurer Vernon R. Alden Nelson J. Darling, Jr. Albert L. Nickerson Allen G. Barry Archie C. Epps III Mrs. James H. Perkins Dr. Leo L. Beranek E. Morton Jennings, Jr. Irving W. Rabb Mrs. John M. Bradley Edward M. Kennedy Paul C. Reardon Richard P. Chapman George Kidder David Rockefeller Jr. Dr. George Clowes Edward G. Murray Mrs. George Lee Sargent Abram T. Collier John Hoyt Stookey Trustees Emeriti Henry A. Laughlin Harold D. Hodgkinson John T. Noonan Administration of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Thomas D. Perry, Jr. Thomas W. Morris Executive Director Manager Gideon Toeplitz Daniel R. Gustin Assistant Manager Assistant Manager Joseph M. Hobbs Walter Hill Dinah Daniels Director of Development Director of Business Affairs Director of Promotion Richard C. White Anita R. Kurland Niklaus Wyss Assistant to the Manager Administrator of Youth Activities Advisor for the Music Director Donald W. Mackenzie James F. Kiley Operations Manager, Symphony Hall Operations Manager, Tanglewood Michael Steinberg Director of Publications Programs copyright ® 1977 Boston Symphony Orchestra Inc.
[Show full text]
Take a Walk on the Wild Side This Year
Photo: Nancy-Fay Hecker/Apple Hill Designs Take a walk on the wild side “I just love Stockbridge. this year... I mean, Stockbridge is the best of America, the best of New England.” NORMAN ROCKWELL or a hike, bike, swim, or kayak! Stockbridge is located approximately 2 hours west of Boston via Exit 2 of the Mass Pike, and 2 1/2 hours north of New York via the Taconic State Parkway, Rte. 23, and U.S. Rte. 7. From the west, take Interstate 90 East to B3 of the NY Thruway and follow Rte. 102 East. From Hart- ford, take I-91 north to the Mass Pike, then west to Exit 2. STOCKBRIDGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 50 Main Street, P.O. Box 224, Stockbridge, MA 01262 413.298.5200 • www.stockbridgechamber.org Photo: Catie May Stockbridge is shaped by its rich history – from its origin as an Indian mission town, to its heyday as a summer home for wealthy families of the Gilded Age, to its current small-town atmosphere captured so endearingly by the American illustrator, Norman Rockwell. (see map, pages 22-23) STOCKBRIDGE: A WALKING TOUR We have mapped out a route that samples our now the left wing, was built in 1864. The library “Cottages” built by wealthy industrialists as sum- history, culture, vistas, and leisurely shopping. houses the Historical Room, a museum and mer mansions during the opulent Gilded Age. Start at the town’s crossroads, Main and South research center containing the original Hitty doll The corner of Main and Sergeant Street pres- Street (Rte.
[Show full text]
Special Places : a Newsletter of the Trustees of Reservations
FALL 2003 VOLUME 1 1 .SpecialPLACES NO. 4 of Reservationsions I A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS www.thetrustees.org jm^^i, smarter—Strengthening Conservation in Massachusetts Conservation sounds simple: Take care of the land and the land will take care of you. In fact, it's becoming increasingly complex. To save our landscape, we need to work smarter, better, and faster. That's the idea behind the Putnam Conservation Institute. Beneath the tranquility of it first, conservation, seems deceptively Enter the Putnam Conservation Institute (PCI), simple: care of Damde Meadows is a Take the land and the land will take a groundbreaking initiative designed to share wisdom care of you. But in today's world, conservation is and resources with conservationists of all types complex story. Restoring a often complex, costly, and time-consuming. For across the state. Named in honor of George and 1 4-acre salt marsh at example, saving some 400 acres on Mt. Tom in Nancy Putnam, PCI will provide training, networking, World's End required more Holyoke required the federal government, the and resources to increase the conservation commu- than a dozen different Commonwealth of Massachusetts, The Holyoke nity's ability to protect, care for, and interpret the Boys and Girls Club, The Trustees, $3 million, and natural and cultural resources of Massachusetts. The agencies and entities. By all six years of negotiating. Managing protected institute will be housed in the Doyle Conservation accounts, it was a learning landscapes is equally complex. Restoring a 1 4-acre Center, the state-of-the-art environmental facility process for everyone historic salt marsh in Damde Meadows at World's The Trustees is building in Leominster.
[Show full text]
Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment 2002
Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment 2002 National Park Service Northeast Region Boston Support Office 15 State Street Boston, MA 02109-3572 tel. 617-223-5051 fax: 617-223-5164 http://www.nps.gov/boso/upperhousatonic/ To see the report online and submit public comments, please see http://www.nps.gov/boso/upperhousatonic/. Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Feasibility Study Contents Feasibility Study 4 Executive Summary 6 Project Background 12 Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Description 20 Key Interpretive Themes Relating to the Nation’s and the Region’s History 28 Evaluation of the Proposed Heritage Area According to Federal Criteria 44 Review of Existing Heritage Area Management Models and Comparison with the Upper Housatonic Valley 48 Upper Housatonic Valley Heritage Area Management Alternatives 53 Feasibility Study Conclusion 54 Environmental Assessment 64 Public Consultation 66 Appendix I: Exploration of the Heritage Themes of theUpper Housatonic Valley 78 Appendix II: Upper Housatonic Valley Properties Listed on National Register of Historic Places 80 Appendix III: Upper Housatonic Valley Properties Listed on National Historic Landmarks, National Natural Landmarks 81 Appendix IV: Selected Bibliography 83 Appendix V: Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Inc. Members 86 Appendix VI: Newspaper Articles on Feasibility Study Process 90 Appendix VII: List of Preparers 91 Photo Credits Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area Maps 7 Regional Map 9 Study Area 11 Historic Resources 17 Open Space & Recreation 21 Arts & Music 31 Natural Landmarks Left: The 1804 South Canaan Meet- inghouse offers historic lectures and jazz concerts every summer Right: Beckley Furnace, East Canaan, CT Executive Summary The upper Housatonic Valley is noted for its picturesque landscape, the meandering Housatonic River, and traditional New England towns.
[Show full text]
Berkshire Botanical Garden the Trustees of Reservations SUMMER HORTICULTURAL COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Berkshire Botanical Garden The Trustees of Reservations P.O. Box 826 P.O. Box 792 5 West Stockbridge Road 5 Prospect Hill Road Stockbridge, MA 01262 Stockbridge, MA 01262 SUMMER HORTICULTURAL COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM INTRODUCTION: This unique summer internship program offers the student the opportunity to work with and learn from two non-profit public gardens. Berkshire Botanical Garden was established in 1934. Located on 15 rural acres, the Garden consists of 26 display gardens and specialty collections, and three greenhouses. Naumkeag, a gilded-age style estate with restored gardens designed by landscape architect Fletcher Steele, is a National Historic Landmark preserved by The Trustees of Reservations. The Trustees is one of Massachusetts’ largest non- profits and the nation’s first conservation and preservation organization. Both gardens are situated in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, a few minutes from the center of the historic village of Stockbridge. The area is home to many cultural institutions and numerous natural sites. DESCRIPTION: This college internship program is designed to offer hands-on experience at Naumkeag and Berkshire Botanical Garden for college students aspiring to a c areer in horticulture, public gardening, and landscape architecture or design. Interns will work with horticulture staff and volunteers in all phases of public garden maintenance and development. This includes planting, weeding, watering, mulching, pruning, and interacting with visitors. Students may also become involved in special projects such as accession records, garden inventories, confirming collections, plant signage, or photography. An ongoing program of intern training sessions, public education programs, and staff field trips are offered to help broaden the students’ horticultural horizon.
[Show full text]
OFFICIAL GUIDE to the Berkshires Insider Spotlights, Tips from Locals & More Heirloom Gardens
2019/2020 DISCOVER THE ESSENTIAL BERKSHIRES THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO The Berkshires Insider Spotlights, Tips from Locals & More Heirloom gardens. Historic buildings. Farm animals. Hiking trails. Artisanal festivals. Contemporary art. Farm-to-table dining. Concerts in the hayloft. HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE PITTSFIELD, MA HancockShakerVillage.org BerkGuide19Ad.indd 2 12/17/18 11:53 AM General Dynamics is currently hiring manufacturing and engineering positions at our Pittsfield, MA location. Come join a company that offers challenging, exciting work that is essential to our national security. Learn more and apply at: gdmissionsystems.com/PittsfieldMA General Dynamics is an Affirmative Action employer that is committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. Escape the everyday, everyday. Seasonal Branding Ad Learn more at berkshires.org Berkshire Canoe and Kayak Scenic Tours, Lenox, MA 2Photo Credit Kara Thornton Table of Contents Olivia’s Overlook, Stockbridge, MA Photo Credit Kara Thornton OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE BERKSHIRES 2019-20 MAP ................................................... 4 GETTING HERE ................................ 5 Published by EDITORIALS Get Away to The Berkshires ........ 8 What’s New ................................ 10 Get your business noticed by over Festivals & Special Events ......... 12 115,000 Berkshire residents, visitors Live in The Berkshires............... 110 and businesses! To learn more about appearing in this publication and becoming a 1Berkshire mem- LISTINGS ber, visit 1berkshire.com or contact [email protected].
[Show full text]