Drove out to the Berkshires a couple weeks ago to visit The Mount! The Mount is a turn-of-the-century home, designed and built by author Edith Wharton in 1902. It’s now a National Historic Landmark and cultural center that celebrates the life and legacy of Wharton. It’s a gorgeously maintained estate and house and I learned so much that I hadn’t previously known about Wharton―particularly her humanitarian efforts during the war and her widely varied interests (the grounds, gardens, and house were all designed by her.) Stay tuned for a post about more literary trips around New England!

“Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was born into a tightly controlled society at a time when women were discouraged from achieving anything beyond a proper marriage. Wharton broke through these strictures to become one of America’s greatest writers. Author of The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth, she wrote over 40 books in 40 years, including authoritative works on architecture, gardens, interior design, and travel. She was the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Yale University, and a full membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.”

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