view of the historic buildings at Hancock Shaker Village
ANIMACTIONS UNLIMITED
44
GLENWOOD AVENUE - PITTSFIELD, MA 01201
(413)-448-2115
e-mail: richerla@aol.com
SIGHTSEEING TOUR DESCRIPTIONS
TWO HOUR EXPLORER TOUR
Once your group decides to visit the Berkshires, they are going to be very busy. Very few places situated in a rural setting have so much to offer. There's theatre, music, dance, entertainment, history and scenery provided in such numerous choices, that time to get to know the area will be quite limited. If your group organizer can a 2 hour "break" during a busy schedule, our tour guide can board your bus and show you the following. Of course, should you like ANIMACTIONS UNLIMITED to arrange for a lunch or dinner, along with including one or more of the cultural experiences that abound in the Berkshires, we'll be happy to arrange a customized package that includes this tour (or any other of your group's choice), feel free to ask.
OKAY - LET'S ANIMATE !
Starting from your group's hotel, or "rendez-vous point", your professional guide directs the tour. Begin in PITTSFIELD, the county's largest town and seat. After a look at the central business area, view the Berkshire Museum, founded by Zenas Crane in 1900. The Colonial Theatre, previously housing an art supply store has plans to become the city's performing arts center. Travel along Route 20 to Hancock Shaker Village to see one of the most incredible museum restorations. Your tour guide will discuss the history of the Shakers as you drive past the buildings. (NOTE: This is one of the most interesting places to spend time within, to enjoy a more detailed tour of the museum, can be included if desired). If time is limited, the Explorer Tour will automatically include a look in passing, with your guide providing background information.
view
of the historic buildings at Hancock Shaker Village
Continue to LENOX. See the 19th century Church-on-the-Hill, the ornate and well kept village center, followed by an around the village drive to see many of the "cottages" followed by a scenic back roads drive to TANGLEWOOD. Time, weather and circumstances permitting, a stop will be made to allow the group to walk about the grounds to view the Koussevitsky Memorial Shed and the Theatre. Your guide will relate the incredible history of the founding of Tanglewood as well.
The Koussevitsky Memorial Shed at Tanglewood
The tour proceeds to STOCKBRIDGE, via the Hawthorne Cottage. Nathaniel Hawthorne lived in the original cottage from 1850 to 1851, where he wrote the "Scarlet Letter" and the "Tanglewood Tales". A stop will be made at Lake Mahkeenac (or Stockbridge Bowl) for a fine view, including the relating of some interesting background about the "Gilded Age". Minutes later, view Naumkeag, the "gilded age" home of Joseph Choate, a self-made millionaire and a brilliant lawyer who became Ambassador to the Court of St. James. (NOTE: The tour does not include an interior visit and house tour, which can be arranged if desired at additional charge) Arriving along Main Street, see "cottages" that belonged to the "gilded age", the Red Lion Inn, the Mission House and the Berkshire Playhouse, built in 1898, and designed by Stanford White.
Naumkeag, the "Gilded Age" home of Joseph
Choate
Continuing along a scenic road, enter LEE, whose history and personality radically differs from the previously seen towns. See a paper mill and some venerable "bed-and-breakfast" landmarks that go back to the 19th century. Before entering the village, a detour will be made to TYRINGHAM, to view the Gingerbread House (officially known as the "Santarella Museum"). This was the studio of Sir Henry Hudson Kitson, who designed the "Minute Man" statue in Lexington, MA. Returning to Lee, see the high-spired Congregational Church and Town Green and its connecting Main Street, which is in the National Landmark Registry. Shortly before returning to the starting point, see a representation of "gilded age cottages", now resorts and Arrowhead, once home of Herman Melville, where he authored "Moby Dick".
The "Gingerbread House" in tiny Tyringham
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BOOK THIS TOUR FOR YOUR GROUP?
CALL 413-448-2115 OR
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