INGLESIDE

Stockbridge, MA - $2,950,000

Ingleside, a unique country estate, has been the summer home of the Owen Johnson family for 90 years. Its fascinating history begins in 1748 when Rev. John Sergeant established a school for Mohican Indian children. In the 1870's the Tuckerman family rebuilt the house, more than doubling its size. The planning sessions for the Berkshire Music Festival, later to become Tanglewood, are purported to have been held on the Ingleside porch. The director of the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University is said to have thought the Tuckermans had the most impressive private collection of ornamental trees in New England.

The manor house at Ingleside faces south looking out over lawn and meadow to Monument Mountain. Large windows on all three floors bathe the interior in natural light. There is graceful flow from room to room along the grand foyer. A comfortable gentle elegance is felt throughout the house. The floors are edged in varied inlaid parquet patterns. Nine rooms have fireplaces. There are 7 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and a modern kitchen. A handsome staircase spans all the three floors. The third floor provides opportunities for offices, studios, guest and au pair quarters.

The grounds are peaceful and beautiful with perennial gardens, a massive quince hedge and a formal apple tree allee. Privately tucked behind tall evergreens is the pool area with a delightful pool house. Stonewalls rim the property. This exceptional estate is within walking distance of the town center and the golf course.