Edith Wharton House

Edith Wharton House, also known as The Mount, was the residence of renowned American author Edith Wharton and her husband Edward Robbins Wharton. The estate, situated in Lenox, Massachusetts, was designed by Francis H. Lee and built in 1902, showcasing a unique blend of Beaux-Arts architecture and Italian Renaissance styles, influenced by Andrea Palladio and Villa Medici. The property, which includes beautifully landscaped gardens designed by Edith Wharton herself, is a testament to the author's love for European architecture and landscape design, as seen in her travels to France, Italy, and England. The estate's design was also influenced by Henry James and Ogden Codman Jr., with whom Edith Wharton collaborated on her book The Decoration of Houses.

● History

The Edith Wharton House was constructed between 1901 and 1902, with Edith Wharton and her husband Edward Robbins Wharton moving in shortly after its completion. The estate, which Edith Wharton called The Mount, was a symbol of her love for European culture and her desire to create a unique American Renaissance-style estate, inspired by Monticello and The Breakers. During her time at The Mount, Edith Wharton wrote some of her most famous works, including The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome, which were influenced by her friendships with Henry James, Theodore Roosevelt, and Bernard Berenson. The estate also hosted many notable guests, including Charles Scribner, Maxfield Parrish, and Daniel Chester French, who were drawn to Edith Wharton's Salon-style gatherings, reminiscent of those held by Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas in Paris.

● Architecture

The Edith Wharton House is a prime example of Beaux-Arts architecture in the United States, with its symmetrical façade, balustrades, and dome-shaped roof, inspired by Chatsworth House and Blenheim Palace. The estate's design was influenced by Edith Wharton's love for European architecture, particularly Italian Renaissance and French Renaissance styles, as seen in Château de Fontainebleau and Palazzo Pitti. The interior of the estate features beautifully decorated rooms, including a library designed by Ogden Codman Jr., a dining room with a plaster ceiling, and a music room with a piano played by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Ignacy Jan Paderewski. The estate's gardens, designed by Edith Wharton herself, feature a mix of formal gardens and wildflower meadows, inspired by Versailles and Kew Gardens.

● Preservation

In 1980, the Edith Wharton House was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of the Interior, recognizing its significance as a cultural and historical landmark, alongside Monticello and The White House. The estate is currently owned and operated by The Mount, Edith Wharton Estate, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the property and promoting Edith Wharton's literary legacy, in partnership with The Edith Wharton Society and The National Trust for Historic Preservation. The organization offers guided tours of the estate, as well as various educational programs and events, including writers' workshops and literary festivals, featuring authors such as Toni Morrison, John Updike, and Joyce Carol Oates.

● Tourism

The Edith Wharton House is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world who are interested in literary history and historic architecture, as well as fans of Downton Abbey and The Great Gatsby. The estate offers guided tours of the house and gardens, as well as self-guided tours of the grounds, which feature beautifully landscaped gardens and a woodland trail designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Visitors can also attend various events and programs, including concerts, lectures, and workshops, featuring speakers such as Harold Bloom and Helen Vendler. The estate's gift shop offers a range of Edith Wharton-related items, including books, postcards, and souvenirs, as well as works by Willa Cather, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway.

● Significance

The Edith Wharton House is significant not only as the former residence of Edith Wharton, but also as a cultural and historical landmark that reflects the Gilded Age and the American Renaissance, as seen in the works of Mark Twain, Henry James, and John Singer Sargent. The estate's unique blend of European architecture and American landscape design makes it a notable example of historic preservation and cultural heritage, alongside Mount Vernon and Biltmore Estate. The Edith Wharton House has also been recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, alongside The Alamo and The Liberty Bell, solidifying its place in American history and literary culture, alongside The Grange and Concord, Massachusetts.