About Ashley House

1 acre

Learn about two very different people who fought for freedom and liberty – and changed our history.  

What makes the Ashley House a special place?
The Ashley House tells the intertwined stories of the Ashleys and the enslaved African Americans who lived here in the 18th century.

Col. John Ashley built the house in 1735, and spent the next decades accumulating wealth and land. By the time of his death in 1802, Ashley owned more than 3,000 acres – including the land that is now The Trustees’ Bartholomew’s Cobble. Ashley supported the American Revolution, heading a committee that wrote the fiery Sheffield Resolves, a petition against British tyranny and manifesto for individual rights, in 1773. His financial success was based in part on the labor of five enslaved African Americans.  

Inspired by Revolutionary-era rhetoric and her own desire for freedom, Mum Bett, who was enslaved in the Ashley House, helped end slavery in Massachusetts. In 1781, she sued Col. Ashley for her freedom – and won. Mum Bett was and remains an inspiration to all who learn her story. 

Today, the Ashley House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and an anchor site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. It contains fine collections of redware, furniture, and tools. The Ashley House is adjacent to Bartholomew’s Cobble Reservation, which offers five miles of scenic trails.

Trails
At Bartholomew’s Cobble, five miles of moderate hiking; some may find the climb to 1,000-ft. Hurlburt’s Hill strenuous.

When to Visit
Grounds: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. House: Open for guided tours Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 3 hours if also visiting Bartholomew's Cobble.

Facilities
The Ashley House gift shop sells post cards and several books on Mum Bett. Public restrooms are located nearby in the visitors center at The Trustees’ Bartholomew’s Cobble.

Regulations & Advisories

• Photography is not permitted inside the house.
  
  
• Dogs are not allowed on the property.

Directions

Cooper Hill Road, Ashley Falls
Sheffield, MA
Telephone: 413.229.8600
E-mail: westregion@ttor.org

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Rt. 7 South in Sheffield, turn right onto Rt. 7A and follow for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Rannapo Rd. and follow for 1.5 mi. Turn right onto Cooper Hill Rd. to entrance and parking (20 cars) on left. Please do not park along Cooper Hill Rd.

Admission

When to Visit
Grounds: Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. House: Open for guided tours Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day, Saturdays and Sundays, 10AM to 5PM Allow a minimum of 1 hour, 3 hours if also visiting Bartholomew's Cobble

Fees
Grounds: Free to all.

House Tours: Trustees Members: FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $5, Child (6–12) $3. Group rates offered for special programs and vary depending on program; call or email for more information.

Property History

In 1735, at the age of 25, Colonel John Ashley built this house – the oldest house still standing in Berkshire County – for his Dutch bride, Hannah Hogeboom. The Ashley House was the center of social, economic, and political life in Western Massachusetts in the 18th century. The famous Sheffield Resolves, a petition against British tyranny and a manifesto for individual rights, was drafted in the upstairs study of the house and published in 1773.

The cause for abolishing slavery in America was strengthened in the celebrated 1781 Massachusetts state court battle that freed the Ashleys’ slave, Elizabeth Freeman (nicknamed “Mum Bett”). Inspired by Revolutionary-era rhetoric and her own desire for freedom, Mum Bett, who was enslaved in the Ashley House, helped end slavery in Massachusetts. In 1781, she sued Col. Ashley for her freedom – and won. Mum Bett was and remains an inspiration to all who learn her story. 

In 1930, the Ashley House was moved from its original location next to the Housatonic River to its present site on Cooper Hill Road.

Property Acquisition History
The Trustees purchased the property in 1972.

 

Programs

Tours
Visit this anchor site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail where Mum Bett took a courageous stand for freedom that helped end slavery in Massachusetts. Explore Colonial life and times of the Ashley family. Guided house tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays, May 24 – Columbus Day, 10AM – 5PM. Last tour departs at 4PM. Members: FREE. Nonmembers: adult $5, child (6–12) $3. Pre-booked group house tours for 15 or more receive a discount; call 413.298.3239 x3013.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Parties

Maps and Resources

Literature

Mum Bett: The Story of Elizabeth Freeman, If They Close the Door on You, Go in the Window, and African American Heritage in the Housatonic Valley are available for sale during house tour hours. It can also be mail ordered over the phone by calling the Berkshires Regional Office at 413.229.8600.

More information about Mum Bett can be found at:

• PBS: Africans in America
• Mumbet.com
• Sheffield, Frontier Town

Additional resources:

• Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail
• Colonel John Ashley and his Web of Commerce (PDF)

Private Functions

Private functions may be arranged for groups of up to 40 people; call 413.298.3239 x3013 or e-mail fwestregion@ttor.org or more information.

Planning Your Visit

Travel Links
Berkshire Links.com
See the Berkshires
Berkshire Visitor's Bureau
Berkshire Web
Getaway the Berkshires

Community Links
Berkshires On-line

Before You Visit
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

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