When we think of vacationing during the Gilded Age, we might picture the grand Cottage of
Newport, but there was another place known as the Berkshires which was just as glamorous.
Hi everyone, Ken here, welcome to "This House".
Today we are exploring Ventfort Hall in Massachusetts, make sure to hit that subscribe button so
you never miss an exciting episode of "This House".
In the 1800s, When JP Morgan rose to prominence as the nation’s leading financier and banker,
he made sure his family was taken care of.
With so much wealth now in the family, some decided it would be best to keep it in the
family.
That’s when George Morgan married his cousin Sarah Morgan and began planning their summer
home in The Berkshires, an up and coming vacation destination for Massachusetts’ social season.
Over 70 wealthy families built what they called cottages, but were in fact lavish mansions
to be used only for a couple months out of the year.
The Morgans purchased 26 pristine acres and hired the architecture firm of Rotch and Tilden
to design for them a sprawling Jacobean Revival style mansion.
Surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens, the 28,000 square foot mansion was built entirely
out of brick with brownstone trim accenting its features as it rose 3 stories.
Winding around the drive at the top of the knoll, you would dismount your carriage under
the port cochere ornamented with balustrade and finials, a tease of the grandeur awaiting
you inside.
Walking through the front door, you would arrive in the entrance hall, directly facing
a stone fireplace rising floor to ceiling between fluted pilasters.
Rugs were strewn about the floor and the wood paneled walls were cluttered with potted plants
and casual furniture to set the scene for a summer’s getaway.
To the side was the grand stair hall rising the equivalent of 3 stories below a Jacobean
ceiling.
The stairs cascaded, turning at elaborate landings marked by newel posts with intricate
relief work, each section boasting its own unique urns atop each newel post between which
elaborately carved wood balustrade ran in line with the board and batten paneling on
the sides of the stairs.
The Library continued this theme, once again with an elaborate Jacobean ceiling set over
wood paneling, but this time with each passage way marked by a broken pediment.
Skirting the room, half height book shelves surrounded antique furniture arranged conversationally
in front of the oversized hearth.
The drawing room broke from the scheme of dark woods to introduce lightly painted millwork
set against damask wallpaper below an elaborately crafted coffered plaster ceiling.
Traveling throughout the house, you would discover various charming details in each
nook and cranny such as stained glass containing familial crests.
There was even a full bathroom on the main floor finished out with tile and bead board
below a chair rail and continuing with floral wallpaper.
Of all the lavish interior rooms, perhaps the verandah was the most utilized as younger
family members would play yard games and mingle with potential love interests, courting during
the social season.
Of course, an estate of this size took many servants to run, as we can look behind the
scenes at some of their facilities including massive greenhouses to ensure a steady supply
of fresh plants would always be decorating the house.
There was also a carriage house with room enough to tend to guests horses and provide
living space for the groundskeepers.
The morgans enjoyed summering in their home for 18 years until George’s passing in 1911.
At that time, it was rented out to the recently widowed Margaret Vanderbilt.
It was later purchased by the Bonsal family whose children sold it to be used as a dormitory
to house music students.
As time went on, the house began to fall into disrepair.
By 1991, the roof had collapsed in on itself and plans were approved to have it demolished
in order to build an assisted living center in its place, however, these plans were met
with fierce criticism from the community and the Ventfort Hall Association was formed to
protect and preserve the house for future generations.
Their efforts were successful and to this day they continue to restore the house while
having it open for tours, including ghost tours perfect for this Halloween season.
If you have ever visited, I would love to hear about your experience down below in the
comments section.
And while you’re there, make sure to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an
exciting episode of "This House".
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