A little history of the Federal House Inn

History of the Federal House

Thomas O. Hurlbut was born in Wethersfield CT in 1794, a descendent of Thomas Hurlbut who came to America in 1635. In 1822 he came to Lee with Charles Owen and started the Owen & Hurlbut Paper Company. They bought the mill of Samuel Church, built in 1806, and later bought the grist mill of Billings Brown and converted it to paper. The inn was built in 1824 as a private home for Thomas O. Hurlbut and his family.

The Owen & Hurlbut Paper Company quickly grew to become the most influential factor in the development of South Lee. By 1855 it employed 150 people. Currently owned and operated by Onyx Specialty Papers, the mill is still in operation today and continues to bear the Hurlbut name on the side of the building. It manufactures a wide variety of papers used in decorative laminates for counter tops and furniture, as well as for industrial applications. The mill can be seen from the inn across the street and to the right.

Thomas Hurlbut died at his home in 1861 age 66. His wife, the former Lucy Loomer, stayed on at the house until her death in 1880. Meanwhile Hurlbut’s sons Thomas and Henry inherited the business and in 1872 built the massive mill that remains today. It was constructed from bricks produced in the South Lee brickyard of J.T. Merrill. It was renowned as the best equipped paper Mill in America.

Henry Hurlbut occupied the house following his mother’s death in 1880. He died around 1900 and his wife Helen lived there until about 1905. It was then for many years the summer home of Henry and Lucy Morris from New York City. Morris was Henry Hurlbut’s nephew. Lucy Morris owned the house until around 1948. It stood vacant for more than a decade, falling into disrepair and used as a storage building. Finally, in 1967, was restored by South Lee resident and college teacher Howard Washburn who gave the inn its name.

Today it is the Federal House Inn.

Posted in: Federal House Inn

Year round in the Berkshires – nature and outdoor activities

“The Berkshires are a highland geologic region located in the western parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut. The term “Berkshires” is normally used by locals in reference to the portion of the Vermont-based Green Mountains that extends south into western Massachusetts…

“Also referred to as the … Berkshire Mountains … the region enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on music, arts, and recreation. Geologically, the mountains are a range of the Appalachian Mountains.” – from The Berkshires

Outdoor Activities

Berkshires Outdoor Activities offer a paradise for the adventurers and people who simply like to take in the fresh air.

One of the beautiful things about Berkshires is the change of seasons. It keeps life interesting with a constant change of scenery. Changes in Berkshires outdoor activities accompany all of these seasonal changes. In the Berkshires, you can participate in a wide range of recreation in the great outdoors not available in many parts of this country.

Berkshires Outdoor Activities During the Spring, Summer and Fall Months

Sometimes the best way to experience nature is on your own two feet. Hiking in the Berkshires is a treasured pastime for both visitors and locals. There are many scenic trails for day hikes. Many of these day hikes lead to the tops of mountains with beautiful vistas. Autumn in the Berkshires is just an amazing time of year to be outdoors and watch the daily changes as the maples begin to turn color and prepare for winter. It is often rainy in November, but we also have lovely low humidity and crisp, clear days that make for some of the best hiking of the year. Cooler weather makes it a nice time to get out for those end-of-the-season bike rides or hikes. Explore our area:

October Mountain – Becket/Washington

Monument Mountain – Great Barrington

Tyringham Cobble – Tyringham

John Drummond Kennedy Park – Lenox

Barthomew’s Cobble – Sheffield

Bash Bish Falls – Mount Washington

Ice Glen and Laura’s Tower – Stockbridge

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – Lenox

Mount Greylock State Reservation – Adams

Notchview Reservation – Windsor

Heritage Walks – Western Massachusettes & Connecticut

Berkshire Botanical Garden – Stockbridge

Nature & Wildlife Areas in Berkshires‎

Forests in Berkshires‎

Parks in Berkshires‎

State Parks in Berkshires‎

Winter in the Berkshires – ski resorts, Cross country skiing, ice skating and more

Posted in: Berkshires Attractions, Federal House Inn, Outdoors Berkshires, places to visit Berkshires

Summer in the Berkshires – Music: Part II

Tanglewood Summer Season Schedule – continued:

JUL 15 2019 MONDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

Stefan Asbury and TMC Fellows conduct Grime and Tchaikovsky

JUL 16 2019 TUESDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Conducting Class led by Andris Nelsons

JUL 16 2019 TUESDAY, 8:00 PM

Miloš

Tanglewood

Miloš, classical guitar

JUL 17 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

Gautier Capuçon and Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Schumann, Brahms, Sibelius and Shostakovich

JUL 18 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

JUL 18 2019 THURSDAY, 1:30 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Sonata Class led by Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Gautier Capuçon

JUL 18 2019 THURSDAY, 8:00 PM

TMC

Vocal Recital

JUL 19 2019 FRIDAY, 9:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

O’Keeffe Weekend

July 19—21

JUL 19 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

UnderScore Friday Concert

Andris Nelsons conducts Jolas, Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Ravel featuring cellist Gautier Capuçon

JUL 20 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

JUL 20 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

JUL 20 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

JUL 20 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Rehearsal

Gershwin and Stravinsky

Boston Symphony Orchestra

JUL 20 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

JUL 21 2019 SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

TMC Recital

Tanglewood

JUL 21 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Andris Nelsons conducts Gershwin and Stravinsky featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet

JUL 21 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Cinematics

Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters

JUL 21 2019 SUNDAY, 8:00 PM

TMC

Vocal Recital

JUL 22 2019 MONDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Vocal Class led by Renée Fleming

JUL 23 2019 TUESDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood on Parade

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Boston Pops Orchestra

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

Boston Symphony Children’s Choir

Fireworks to follow the concert

JUL 24 2019 WEDNESDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Meet the Makers

Tom Stoppard, playwright

JUL 24 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

Renée Fleming and the Emerson String Quartet

Walker, Wernick, Barber, and Previn

JUL 25 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

Thomas Wilkins, H. Robert Reynolds & Dr. Harvey Young

JUL 25 2019 THURSDAY, 8:00 PM

All-Ives Program featuring Stefan Jackiw, Jeremy Denk and Hudson Shad

Tanglewood

JUL 26 2019 FRIDAY, 9:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Wagner Weekend

JUL 26 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Andris Nelsons conducts Shostakovich, Mozart and Ravel featuring pianist Paul Lewis

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

BSO Family Concert

Program to include Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Rehearsal

WAGNER Die Walküre, Acts II and III

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 1:30 PM

Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)

Young Artists Orchestra

Boston University Tanglewood Institute

Young Artists Orchestra

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 5:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

The Big Idea

Doris Kearns Goodwin

JUL 27 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

WAGNER Die Walküre, Act I

The Leonard Bernstein Memorial Concert

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

JUL 28 2019 SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

TMC Recital

JUL 28 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

WAGNER Die Walküre, Acts II and III

JUL 28 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)

Young Artists Wind Ensemble

JUL 28 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Cinematics

A Tale of Tanglewood: Peter Grimes Reborn

JUL 29 2019 MONDAY, 1:30 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Meet the Makers

Stephen H. Carver, piano technician

JUL 30 2019 TUESDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Concerto Conducting Class led by Stefan Asbury with Emanuel Ax

JUL 30 2019 TUESDAY, 8:00 PM

Paul Lewis, piano

JUL 31 2019 WEDNESDAY, 1:30 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Bach Cello Suites Class led by Yo-Yo Ma

JUL 31 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

Song of America: Beyond Liberty

Thomas Hampson, baritone

Lara Downes, piano

The Beyond Liberty Players

AUG 01 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

AUG 01 2019 THURSDAY, 8:00 PM

National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America

Sir Antonio Pappano conducts Berlioz and Strauss featuring mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard

AUG 02 2019 FRIDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

TLI MasterPass August 2019

AUG 02 2019 FRIDAY, 3:00 PM

Tanglewood Family Fun Fest (FREE)

Part of the Highland Street Foundation’s Free Fun Fridays program

AUG 02 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

The Serge and Olga Koussevitzky Memorial Concert

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Open Rehearsal

Rachmaninoff and Sibelius

Boston Symphony Orchestra

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 1:30 PM

Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)

Young Artists Chorus

Free Concert

AUG 03 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Asher Fisch conducts Schumann, Dorman, Beethoven and Mendelssohn featuring violinist Pinchas Zukerman and cellist Amanda Forsyth

AUG 04 2019 SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

TMC Recital

Tanglewood

AUG 04 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Dima Slobodeniouk conducts Rachmaninoff and Sibelius featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman

AUG 04 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Full Tilt

John Cage Song Books and Film Selections

AUG 05 2019 MONDAY, 7:00 PM

Popular Artist Series

Train and Goo Goo Dolls

AUG 05 2019 MONDAY, 8:00 PM

TMC Recital

Chamber Orchestra and Vocal Fellows

AUG 06 2019 TUESDAY, 8:00 PM

Pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Leonidas Kavakos and cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform an all-Beethoven program

AUG 07 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

All-Beethoven program featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman, piano

AUG 08 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

Erika Fox, Hilda Paredes, Chaya Czernowin & Zoë Martlew

AUG 08 2019 THURSDAY, 3:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Festival of Contemporary Music Weekend

August 8—12

AUG 08 2019 THURSDAY, 8:00 PM

Opera

TMC Vocal Fellows

Festival of Contemporary Music

AUG 09 2019 FRIDAY, 2:30 PM

Chamber Music

Festival of Contemporary Music

AUG 09 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

UnderScore Friday Concert

Beethoven and Dvořák featuring Leonidas Kavakos as both conductor and violinist

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Open Rehearsal

Boston Symphony Orchestra

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 1:30 PM

Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI)

Young Artists Orchestra

Boston University Tanglewood Institute

AUG 10 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Rafael Payare conducts Carreño, Rachmaninoff and Brahms featuring pianist Nikolai Lugansky

AUG 11 2019 SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

TMC

Chamber Music

Festival of Contemporary Music

AUG 11 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Thomas Adès conducts Ives and Beethoven featuring pianist Inon Barnatan

AUG 11 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Cinematics

Babette’s Feast

AUG 11 2019 SUNDAY, 7:30 PM

Yo-Yo Ma plays all six of J.S. Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied Cello

The Caroline and James Taylor Concert, Yo-Yo Ma, cello

AUG 12 2019 MONDAY, 2:00 PM

Tanglwood Learning Institute

TLI OpenStudio

Violin Class led by Leonidas Kavakos

AUG 12 2019 MONDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

Festival of Contemporary Music

AUG 13 2019 TUESDAY, 8:00 PM

Leonidas Kavakos and Emanuel Ax

All-Beethoven Program

AUG 14 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

TMC

Vocal Recital

AUG 15 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

Margo Garrett & Thomas Martin

AUG 15 2019 THURSDAY, 8:00 PM

The Knights

The Susan and Joel Cartun Concert

AUG 16 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Pops Orchestra

Keith Lockhart conducts Star Wars: A New Hope

AUG 17 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

AUG 17 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

AUG 17 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

AUG 17 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Open Rehearsal

Schumann and Brahms

Boston Symphony Orchestra

AUG 17 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

François-Xavier Roth conducts Brahms and Schumann featuring pianist Kirill Gerstein

AUG 18 2019 SUNDAY, 10:00 AM

TMC Recital

AUG 18 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

François-Xavier Roth conducts Schumann and Brahms featuring Yo-Yo Ma and Members of the BSO horn section

AUG 18 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Cinematics

Impromptu, a film set in 1830s France in which pianist/composer Frédéric Chopin is pursued romantically by the determined, independent woman and notorious writer who uses the name George Sand.

AUG 18 2019 SUNDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra

Giancarlo Guerrero conducts a program including Mahler Symphony No. 4

AUG 19 2019 MONDAY, 8:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Full Tilt

The Black Mozart

Bill Barclay & Concert Theatre Works

AUG 21 2019 WEDNESDAY, 3:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Meet the Makers

Aiven O’Leary, flute maker and Alan Weiss, flutist

AUG 21 2019 WEDNESDAY, 8:00 PM

Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra

The Norman Atkin MD and Joan Schwartzman Concert

AUG 22 2019 THURSDAY, 1:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

ShopTalks

Giancarlo Guerrero & Morris Robinson

AUG 23 2019 FRIDAY, 9:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Film Weekend

August 23—25

AUG 23 2019 FRIDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Yu-An Chang conducts Mendelssohn, Ravel and Schubert featuring pianist Ingrid Fliter

The Peggy Reiser and Charles Cooney Concert

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Painting Class

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Photography Class

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 10:00 AM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Focal Point

Drawing Class

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 10:30 AM

Saturday Morning Open Rehearsal

Schoenberg and Beethoven

Boston Symphony Orchestra

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 5:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

The Big Idea

Daniel Shapiro

AUG 24 2019 SATURDAY, 8:00 PM

Boston Pops

John Williams’ Film Night

AUG 25 2019 SUNDAY, 2:30 PM

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Giancarlo Guerrero conducts Schoenberg and Beethoven

AUG 25 2019 SUNDAY, 7:00 PM

Tanglewood Learning Institute

Cinematics

Score: A Film Music Documentary

AUG 28 2019 WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM

Popular Artist Series

Gladys Knight

with special guest

The Spinners

AUG 29 2019 THURSDAY, 7:00 PM

Popular Artist Series

Squeeze – The Squeeze Songbook Tour

AUG 30 2019 FRIDAY, 7:00 PM

Popular Artist Series

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and Melissa Etheridge

AUG 31 2019 SATURDAY, 7:00 PM

Popular Artist Series

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Summer Tour 2019

SEP 01 2019 SUNDAY, 3:30 PM

Popular Artist Series

Reba McEntire at Tanglewood

Posted in: Federal House Inn

Summer in the Berkshires – Music and Dance: Part I

It’s that time of year again… Tanglewood Season

The Stockbridge and Lee areas of the Berkshires are filled with cultural attractions that match or surpass those of many metropolitan areas.

During the summer months, Tanglewood is a top attraction. This music venue in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts is one of the world’s premier summer music festivals and famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Tanglewood is conveniently located to the Federal House Inn and features many concerts throughout the summer season. Area lodging books quickly so plan your trip early. Below is the 2019 schedule of

Schedule

June 15, Saturday

Popular Artist Series Live From Here with Chris Thile

June 16, Sunday

Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds

June 22-30, Saturday

Tanglewood Learning Institute String Quartet MasterPass

June 23, Sunday

One Day University at Tanglewood: Immigration, Literature and Musical Masterpieces

June 29, Saturday

Ozawa Hall String Quartet Marathon

June 30, Sunday

Chamber Music: Brass and Percussion Extravaganza
String Quartet Marathon

July 02 Tuesday,

Josh Groban

(more…)

Posted in: Berkshires Attractions, Culture in Berkshires, Federal House Inn, Jacob's Pillow, places to visit Berkshires, Tanglewood

Winter in the Berkshires – ski resorts, Cross country skiing, ice skating and more

Berkshires Outdoor Activities in the Winter

Winter in the the Berkshires is one of our favorite seasons. Our area has many excellent downhill skiing resorts and ski areas, and there are numerous cross-county ski areas and opportunities for ice skating and snowmobiling as well. As winter wanes, our local ski areas have also stepped up with some great warmer weather adventures.

After a day of fun and games outdoors…the Federal House Inn welcomes you back. Here you will find a quiet place for reading nestled by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate/tea/coffee and homemade cookies always available. If it’s a hot shower after a strenuous day on the slopes or a hike in the woods, you can return to your own private bath complete with Turkish Towels(tm)…then relax in our cozy robes and Comphy(tm) sheets/blankets.

Here are a few things to do in the area:

Ski Butternut – Great Barrington, MA

Bosque Ski Resort – Pittsfield

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort – Hancock, MA

Catamount Ski Area – South Egremont

Canterbury Farm – Becket, MA

John Drummond Kennedy Park – Lenox, MA

Winter Sports – Link for numerous Cross country skiing, ski resorts, and ice skating opportunities in the Berkshires

And finally, see The Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts for information on miles of local snowmobile trails.

Summer Attractions at local ski resorts –

JiminyPeak Aerial Adventure Park

JiminyPeak Mountain Adventure Park

JiminyPeak Mountain Biking

Catamount Aerial Adventure Park/

Posted in: Berkshires Attractions, Berkshires Skiing, Federal House Inn, Outdoors Berkshires, skiing

Restarting the FHI Blog

It’s been a couple of years since this blog was updated, so we’ll start slowly. Ken and Marcia Andersen, beloved owners since 2016, have retired and moved to be closer to family. Gayle Misner-Elias is the newest innkeeper. Much has changed, but much remains the same. First some of the changes:

All rooms now have individual climate control – no more A/C in the window during the summer months!
Room names have changed – Michael’s, Helen’s, Miriam’s, Max’s, Catherine’s, Teresa’s, Rose’s, Karol’s, and Joseph’s (1-9)
The second room of Joseph’s suite now has a lockable door
Miriam’s room is now a second “King” room, with brand new king size bed and mattress
We’ve moved to more standard hours (any can be adjusted, based on individual needs and with prior discussion):
- Check-in 4 p.m.
- Check-out 11 a.m.
- Morning coffee – out by 7 a.m.
- Breakfast 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. weekdays; 8:30 – 10 a.m. weekends
- Wine and hors d’oeuvres – 5 – 6 p.m.

The same:

Three-course breakfast (bread item [gluten-free available on request], fruit item, and a savory or sweet item [depending on the day])
Comphy(TM) sheets, Turkish Towels
Federal House Blend coffee from No 6 Depot
Dash & Albert rugs and Pine Cone Hill bed dressings

More to follow as we get better at this.

Posted in: Federal House Inn