williamstown

Cole Porter's Berkshire Retreat, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

Today's property, a beautiful 40-acre expanse in Massachusetts' tranquil Berkshire Mountains area, was once the home of songwriter Cole Porter. In June 1940 Linda Porter, Cole Porter's wife, chose the estate as the couple's summer residence. The couple also frequently entertained here, offering members of the royal, theatrical, and jet-set society a weekend in the countryside. Cole Porter continued to visit the home until his death in 1964 and completed many of his important numbers in the home.

The land includes formal gardens, woodlands, stone walls, hedgerows, terrace and fountains and two miles of nature trails while still offering easy access to picturesque Williamstown. The main residence has lovely floor-to-ceiling windows, large living and dining rooms, a wood paneled library, eat-in kitchen and four fireplaces. There are five bedrooms including the first floor master suite. The grounds are also home to a pool with a 1940s pool house with changing rooms, a prep kitchen, tennis court, greenhouse and potting shed. There is also a guest cottage with two large suites, a livestock barn that offers an additional 700 square feet of living space, and a carriage barn with a three-bedroom apartment above. This home is listed at $4.495 million with Alton & Westfall.

Gallery: Cole Porter's Berkshire Retreat