Naumkeag, a historic Stockbridge estate, is one of the area’s most popular attractions. With a history stretching back to the 1880s and an alluring beauty led by a string of wonderfully-kept gorgeous gardens, visiting the house is a must when you’re in the Berkshires.
While here, you can take in scenic views of the surrounding Housatonic River Valley and Monument Mountain. Adding to the beauty are the verdant pastures, meadows, and woodlands that surround the house.
When you aren’t exploring the gorgeous interior, you can be outside wandering through its beautiful gardens or enjoying one of its many annual events. Keep reading to know what to expect during your visit to Naumkeag — the Stockbridge attraction won’t disappoint.
History of the Naumkeag House
The 48-acre Naumkeag House is as much a step back in time as it is a modern attraction. It was built in 1885 for Joseph Choate and is one of the Berkshires’ gilded-age cottages. It was then transferred to his daughter Mabel in 1929 before being passed to the Trustees of Reservations in 1958.
From the onset, the Naumkeag mansion was an architectural masterpiece with elevated towers and intricate details the highlight of the home. Inside, you’ll be enamored with the shingle-style house’s hand-carved oak staircase and the vintage furnishings.
While a beautiful home in its early stages, it took a few decades before it became the stunner it is today. After inheriting the house, Mabel sought the help of a landscaper to make the beautiful home an awe-inspiring oasis. The duo added several upgrades to the property, including fountains, theme gardens, beautiful grounds, and more.
Today, it’s a public building where thousands come to view the house and its varied gems.Fun fact: The estate has been dubbed a National Historic Landmark, meaning it holds exceptional value in demonstrating US heritage.
Naumkeag Gardens
One of, if not the very best, features of the house is its incredible gardens. A wonderland of flora, this gem features 8 acres of themed gardens you can stroll through while your jaw drops in amazement. The lush splendor includes the Afternoon Garden, the Chinese Garden, the Evergreen Garden, and the Rose Garden.
The Afternoon Garden
The fanciful Afternoon Garden was the property’s first landscape project and has remained one of its best features. Once you enter the arch doorway, you’ll be greeted by lush boxwood hedges that look a lot like an Oriental rug. There are also small, ornate fountains and a reflecting oasis in the heart of the greenery.
Sit by the painted benches, and you’ll have views of the mountain landscape framed between the Venetian gondola poles. You can also admire the tall bronze statue and the flower pots boasting various flora.
The Evergreen Garden
If you find the Afternoon Garden a bit busy, then escape to the zen oasis that is the Evergreen Garden. This green space is circular, featuring verdant greenery in the form of shrubs and complete with a few architectural elements. There’s a small fountain atop a reflective oasis of water, with a summerhouse also nearby. After tackling the marble steps leading here, you can take a breather on the bench. This is when you’ll find the garden’s crown jewel, picturesque views of the distant mountains framed just above the trees. The spot is easily one of the best places to catch a stunning Berkshires sunset at the estate.
The Chinese Garden
Have you never been to China? Don’t fret; you’ll feel like you’ve seen a bit of the country when you step into Naumkeag’s Chinese Garden. It took around 50 years to complete, with recent renovations also done to maintain the beauty of this striking space.
Before you even get a slice of the estate’s own Chinatown, the striking Moon Gate entrance will be sure to catch your eye. Once inside, you’ll find all the features of a classic Chinese garden. Think temples, a stream of water, a miniature pagoda, and several statues that Mabel collected during years of travel. For an incredible vista, stand inside the blue-roof temple, and you can stare into the wilderness of the distant mountains and the green forestry. Be sure to exit via the Moon Gate, as there’s a belief that that will bring good fortune, and whoever says no to Lady Luck?
The Rose Garden
The Naumkeag’s Rose Garden may not be as intricate as the others above, but it’s absolutely worth a stop. It’s a small green area surrounded by towering trees and contains a short stairway to make your way down.
Once there, you’ll come across small shrubs with gorgeous rose blooms. These are connected by winding pathways that maze from shrub to shrub. For the best view of this garden, head to the second-floor bedroom.
More to See at Naumkeag, Stockbridge, MA
The beauty of this historic home doesn’t end with the gardens — in fact, the gardens aren’t even the magnum opus of the estate. Here are some other attractions worth seeing while visiting Naumkeag in Stockbridge.
Note: The Naumkeag is a seasonal attraction, open only to the public during select events, so call ahead to confirm its status.
The Blue Steps
The striking Blue Steps are the estate’s most popular feature, which even visitors short on time make sure to stop at. And no one can blame them; these look like something straight out of a page in a fictional story.
Picturesque in every sense of the word, this attraction is a series of azure fountain pools. In addition, there are four flights of steps with arched blue recesses. To help you on the climb are Art Nouveau handrails. The way up or down takes you through a grove of birch trees. At the base of the steps is a cutting and vegetable garden, which you can also view while taking a breather on the bench by the stairway.
The South Lawn
Another green space, albeit smaller than the others, is the well-kept South Lawn. Continuing with the Asian influences found here, you’ll come across Japanese maple trees in this space. There’s also a beautiful Chinese pagoda housing a sacred rock, which legend says can improve your memory if you rub it.
Gift Shop and Cafe
You can stop by the gift shop to purchase many unique souvenirs at the end of your viewing of the estate or even during it. This includes books and local, handmade items, with proceeds supporting the Trustee’s preservation efforts of Naumkeag and other historic buildings. When you feel hungry, an on-site cafe sells delicious drinks and light snacks to keep the hunger at bay.
Naumkeag Events
As mentioned above, the grounds are only seasonally open thanks to the events hosted at the Naumkeag. If you time your visit just right, you can have fun at one of the following events.
Note: Naumkeag tickets to these events aren’t sold on-site, and they can only be purchased online.
Daffodil and Tulip Festival
The Daffodil and Tulip Festival is the estate’s annual spring celebration. It usually takes place between April and May, when the flora fully blooms.
During this time, you’ll find thousands of daffodils, tulips, and minor bulbs coming to life in a stunning display of floral colors. These are all seen at one of the abovementioned gardens, with spectacular mountain views in the background, adding to the beauty.
The first floor of the Naumkeag house is open for self-guided tours, with a cafe and gift shop also operational.
Naumkeag Pumpkin Show
During the spooky season in October, Naumkeag hosts an exceptional pumpkin show. Towards the end of October, you can celebrate Halloween by exploring the gardens dotted with jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, gourds, and mums flowers.
When you feel hungry after your autumn escapades, you can grab fall treats and hot cider at the on-site cafe.
The Winterlights at Naumkeag
Towards the end of the year, the Naumkeag is turned into a starry wonderland lit up by hundreds of lights. A celebration of the holiday season, the winter lights at Naumkeag are a family favorite outdoors.
During this seasonal celebration, the Naumkeag Christmas lights are put up and shimmer in multicolored colors well into the evening. As always, you can buy refreshments on-site during your visit.
Visiting the Naumkeag House and Gardens: Where to Stay
Unfortunately, overnight stays at the Naumkeag Berkshires estate aren’t possible, and it’s just a day attraction. But don’t worry; you’ll find a place to stay at our Berkshires bed and breakfast, the Stockbridge Country Inn. What makes staying here great is that we’re the closest accommodation to the estate. There’s just a 5-minute drive between the inn and the Naumkeag house and gardens.
Final Thoughts on Naumkeag House and Gardens
With an abundance of interactive attractions, breathtaking scenery, and interesting history to discover, Naumkeag has something for everyone. Its gardens and elegant architecture capture the glory of a bygone era in Massachusetts.
Whether you come for the Naumkeag winter lights, all-year foliage and flora, or the Blue Steps, you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible amount of splendor, including scenic vistas.
Now, pack your bags and get ready to explore one of the most popular Stockbridge estates; don’t forget to book your accommodation!
