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July 1, 2004
• Visit Eden Hill, an important Stockbridge historical site Visit Eden Hill, an important Stockbridge historical site The Gilded Age Berkshire cottage built by Samuel Walter Woodward is included in a new tour of Eden Hill in Stockbridge, free of charge, Wednesdays through Sundays at noon. The Marians of the Immaculate Conception are offering the historic guided tours of their grounds and of The National Shrine of the Divine Mercy, for the first time this summer. Ellen Volkman, one of the tour guides, explained that the tours would include the Shrine, the grounds and the residence -- the Gilded Age cottage that the Marian fathers and brothers use as their home at Eden Hill. "I think it's a great example of one of the Berkshire estates -- it’s remarkably well-preserved," Volkman said. "I’m interested in architecture and in Berkshire history -- this is a real gem." After the tour, she said, visitors are welcome to picnic on the grounds. "This property was the original site of the first mission to the Indians," Volkman added. "There's always been a tie to preaching, to proclaiming the faith. The natural beauty of the place is something people find inspiring, refreshing," Volkman said. “Anyone interested in Berkshire history should enjoy the tours.” Jason Free, general manager of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, said, "The residence has always been closed to the public. The rector's office, the patio -- it’s exciting for people to be able to appreciate the house. Now we’re giving the full package -- a snapshot of the past, including the Shrine, the residence and its amazing history, as well as a look at the future of the Marian Brothers. It’s one of the spiritual centers of the Berkshires. We’re opening the doors to the town in a new way." The Tudor-style residence was built in 1894 by Samuel Walter Woodward, a wealthy department store tycoon. The house passed through several owners before the Marians purchased it in 1943. In the house, the dining room, great room, library and rector's office (formerly the billiards room) will be on view, as will the patio. The woodwork is original -- including, in the great room, carved gargoyles that resemble the heads of grinning old women, peering down from the ceiling to the festivities below. The rector’s office boasts a green tile fireplace surround covering almost an entire wall. The adjacent patio boasts a view of the Berkshire Hills stretching to New York state.
The tour also includes the interior of the Shrine of the Divine Mercy, with its highly decorative, carved woodwork, elaborate stained glass, mosaics and statuary. The Marians hired local craftsman Antonio Guerrieri in 1950 to build their new chapel, which Guerrieri styled after the mountain chapels in his native Italy. Noted stained glass artist Fred Leuchs created the windows in the chapel. The chapel was completed and dedicated in 1960. In creating the tours, Kathleen Ervin, director of communications for the Marians, said, "We tried to incorporate the best minds from the Stockbridge Historical Association. It was a wonderful opportunity to work with the community. It's so beautiful and there’s so much history that’s worth preserving. It makes you understand what Stockbridge is all about, with its rich past and its rich present. It just seems right to share it with the community." Ervin added, "We hope it's the beginning of a wonderful relationship with Stockbridge." Br. Matthew Lamoureux, MIC, is one of the seminarians in residence. "We see ourselves as stewards of this property. It's a great opportunity to open it to the public." The tour takes about 45 minutes. It begins at the gift shop adjacent to the shrine residence, enters the residence and moves through the first-floor rooms, and then take visitors into the National Shrine of Divine Mercy and back to the gift shop. Enter the scenic, 350-acre property from Pine Street in Stockbridge. There are ample opportunities to walk, hike or picnic on the grounds. For information, visit www.marian.org. |
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