About Field Farm |
316 acres |
Explore four miles of trails past fields, wander through manicured gardens graced by modern sculptures, and discover New England's youngest historic house museum.
What makes Field Farm a special place?
The northern Berkshires provide a perfect natural backdrop to the pair of Modernist homes that are the showpieces of this singular property. Surrounding the two architectural gems (one is now a bed-and-breakfast and one is open for guided tours) are more than 300 acres of open fields, woods and wetlands, through which four miles of footpaths meander.
The two houses here are terrific illustrations of trends in post-World War II architecture. The main house, now the Guest House at Field Farm, evokes the International style with its straight lines and extensive use of glass. The Folly consists of curves centered on a central silo. Take a tour inside to discover its playful organic design, with elements of Shingle-style architecture, and its site overlooking a pond recalls its use for skating and swimming parties held by the Bloedel family. Thirteen modern sculptures, including works by Richard M. Miller and Herbert Ferber, are sited in the garden.
The diversity of natural “architecture” here is as impressive as these two striking houses, which were designed to blend into their surroundings. The broad fields and uplands provide habitat for white-tail deer, coyote, and the secretive bobcat. The wetlands are home to an active beaver colony, turtles, snakes and salamanders, as well as a wide variety of marsh-nesting birds and waders. Look for red-winged blackbirds with their scarlet epaulets, kingfishers darting and swooping above the water’s surface, and regal great blue heron stalking the shallows. Red-tailed hawks and northern harriers waft silently above the meadows.
Nestled against the eastern slope of the Taconic Range near the New York border, the geologic foundation of Field Farm is marble and schist, emblematic of the wrenching earth forces, and later glacial action, that crafted this beautiful corner of New England many millennia ago. And don’t be surprised to discover a cave or two.
Trails
Enjoy more than four miles of moderate hiking. Beyond the manicured landscape, follow the popular mile-long North Trail, which circles the centrally located pasture in a wide loop and affords mountain views in all directions.
Pick up the Oak Loop trail and wander for another half mile across a flowing stream and abundant ferns in the mature oak forest.
Continue on the Caves Trail loop, another half mile, to explore small streams that disappear into a series of underground channels and caves carved over the millennia from limestone bedrock.
When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. The Folly is open for guided tours on selected Saturdays during the summer and into fall; check online events calendar for details. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours for the trails, 2½ if also taking a tour of the Folly.
Facilities
The Guest House at Field Farm offers bed & breakfast accommodations in six spacious, finely appointed rooms, all with mountain views. Picnic tables are available for day visitors.
Regulations & Advisories
- Mountain biking is not allowed.
- Dogs must be kept on leash at all times.
Directions
554 Sloan Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Telephone 413.298.3239; (Guest House) 413.458.3135
E-mail: westregion@ttor.org
E-mail: guesthouseatfieldfarm@ttor.org
Latitude: 42.6646
Longitude: -73.2617
Get directions on Google Maps.
From Williamstown Center, follow Rt. 7 South towards South Williamstown. At intersection with Rt. 43, take Rt. 43 West and immediately take a right onto Sloan Rd. Proceed 1 mi. to entrance on right.
Admission
When to Visit
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. The Folly is open for guided tours on selected Saturdays during the summer and into fall; check online events calendar for details. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours for the trails, 2½ if also taking a tour of the Folly.
Fees and Permits
Grounds: FREE to all. On-site donation welcome from nonmembers.
The Folly: Trustees members & Williamstown residents FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $5; Child (12 and under) FREE.
Property History
What is now Field Farm was an agricultural property dating back to the mid-18th century, as colonists cleared the lower slopes of the Berkshires and Taconic ranges for crop fields, livestock pastures, and houses and outbuildings. Previous to European settlement, Mohican and Mohawk tribes were on this land.
After Lawrence Bloedel returned from World War II and purchased the former Nathan Field farm, he had two distinctive houses built, both in mid-century Modern style. The family home, which also became a repository for the burgeoning Bloedel collection of contemporary art, featured redwood siding, a flat roof – and multiple windows and doors and decks to take advantage of fine views of Mount Greylock, rising across the Green River Valley.
Today the home, known as the Guest House at Field Farm, welcomes overnight visitors. The second house, designed in the 1960s, represents an amalgamation of styles and references—including a grain silo and propellers – and was whimsically named The Folly, and is available for tours June-October. Visitor will also find formal gardens and wide expanses of manicured lawn.
To insure that a sense of rural continuity is maintained, The Trustees operate almost 80 acres for crops and pastures on the reservation.
Property Acquisition History
Original acreage a bequest, with endowment, of Mrs. Lawrence H. Bloedel in 1984. Additional land given in 1990 by Nancy, Freeman, and Sally Foote. Additional land purchased in 1994.
Programs
The Folly is open for guided tours (half hour) on select Saturdays, summer and fall. Please call for details. Members: FREE. Nonmembers: Adult $5, Child FREE. Fee includes self-guided tour of the sculpture garden.
Tours of Field Farm’s inn, the Guest House at Field Farm, by appointment only; call 413.298.8123.
For more programs and activities at Field Farm and our other Berkshires reservations, check our events calendar.
Volunteer Opportunities
| Position | Location |
|---|---|
| Trail and Garden Volunteers |
Work Parties
Maps and Resources
Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin board in parking area. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.
Planning Your Visit
Travel Links
Mohawk Trail
Before You Go
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
Tell Us What You Think
We’d love to hear about your visit. Click here to take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us about this reservation, you can use this form to send it to us, too.
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Announcements & Alerts
While you are here, be sure to head to The Clark to see the ground-breaking new exhibit, Picasso Looks at Degas.
The Clark is the exclusive North American venue hosting this exhibition, which runs from June 13 - September 12, 2010.
Upcoming Things To Do
Other Trustees Properties You Might Like:
Mountain Meadow Preserve
Williamstown, MA
William Cullen Bryant Homestead
Cummington, MA
Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Ipswich, MA
