Ventfort Hall Presents A Restorative History Of The Morgan Lenox Berkshire Cottage

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LENOX, Mass. — Join Executive Director Wendy Healey for an exploration of Ventfort Hall, the 28,000-square-foot brick and brownstone "cottage" built in 1893 for Sarah and George Morgan.

The talk will be held on Aug. 25 at 4pm.

As the sister of industrialist J.P. Morgan, Sarah Morgan's estate represented the height of Gilded Age society in Lenox. This presentation traces the mansion's journey from its origins as a pinnacle of opulence to its heroic rescue from the brink of destruction, stated a press release.

A tea will be served after her presentation.

Illustrated by a collection of archival images, the talk offers a deep dive into the architectural and social history of the estate. 

Morgan family photographs, follow its bohemian mid-century chapters during the Festival House and Fokine Ballet eras, and a period of subsequent change and physical deterioration.

The heart of this talk highlights the pivotal turning point in 1994, when a dedicated effort began to save the structure. Healey will share insights into the strategic initiatives and ongoing restoration journey. 

Wendy Healey is the Executive Director of Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum, where she oversees strategic initiatives, fundraising, and community partnerships. She holds a BA in English Literature and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. During her tenure over the past three years, Healey has focused on the critical restoration and sustainability of the estate, leveraging her background in finance and the arts to ensure this architectural landmark continues to serve as a vibrant cultural center.

Tickets are $45. Members receive a discount code for $5 off all ticket prices. Students 22 and under are $22. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/ventforthall/items/722956/?full-items=yes&flow=1597425 or call  (413) 637-3206. Note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker St. in Lenox.

 

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Josh Billings Athletes Can Support Local Non-Profits

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - A new fundraising initiative is giving participants in  one of the Berkshires’ most recognized community traditions a simple way to support local  nonprofits.
 
Launched this year by the Josh Billings RunAground and Mill Town Foundation, the Finish Line Fund allows participating teams to select a Berkshire-based nonprofit and invite friends, family members, colleagues, and others to support the organization through a  team fundraising page.
 
With time still remaining before the Sept. 20 event, participating teams already have raised more than $16,000 for local nonprofits.
 
“The Finish Line Fund is about expanding participation in local philanthropy,” said Andy Wrba, Program Director at Mill Town Foundation. “You don’t need to make a large gift to have an impact. When hundreds of people contribute $10 or $20 to organizations they care about, those individual gifts can add up to something significant. We want to make local  giving accessible, personal, and connected to an event people are already excited to be part of.”
 
Rather than directing all fundraising to a single beneficiary, the Finish Line Fund places the  choice in the hands of participants. Teams select a Berkshire nonprofit that is meaningful to them and use their own networks and personal stories to build support for the organization.  Donations made through each team’s fundraising page go directly to its selected nonprofit.
 
The initiative reflects a peer-to-peer approach to philanthropy in which individuals become  ambassadors for the organizations and causes they value. In addition to raising funds, the  program is designed to introduce more people to Berkshire nonprofits, expand their networks of supporters, and encourage community members to see themselves as active participants in local giving.
 
To encourage broad participation, Mill Town Foundation will also contribute an additional $500 to the nonprofit represented by each of the five teams that attracts the greatest number of individual donors. The incentive is based on the number of unique supporters – not the total amount raised – reinforcing the message that gifts of every size matter.
 
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