steepletop

If you are exploring the Hudson Valley, don't miss Steepletop, the country home and gardens of the famous American poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. It is like walking back in time. The house has been left as it was when she died in 1950. It's like being in a time capsule. We enjoyed a completely private tour of the house and gardens. Millay was a passionate gardener, and many of her poems were inspired by her life on her farm. Some historic houses, like Edith Wharton's home the Mount, which is very nearby, are badly curated, but this house really gives a great sense of its owner and her surroundings. The gardens need some work, but all in all, it was a great house museum experience.

So many tourists drive past Steepletop on Rt 22 in Columbia County bordering the Berkshires ,not realizing what it is. Driving up a East Road,a long ,windy scenic road bordering a state forest you come upon Steepletop, the Edna St Vincent Millet compound. There are two distinct areas. One her home and grounds the other an artist colony for visiting artists,writers ,etc The beautiful setting is perfect for creativityA new welcome center and gift shop has just opened, and tours are available You don't have to be a poetry lover to appreciate the historic importance and beautiful grounds of the property

I read her autobiography years ago in my Dallas bookclub. Was intrigued by this gifted woman. Then a couple of years ago I read an old NYT article about a literary pilgrimage tour in NY and nearby Ma. Steepletop was on this list and reignited my interest in St. Vincent Millay. My cousin and I planned a driving trip and finally made it to Steepletop. Missed the tour on Saturday due to timing. But made it on Sunday. So glad we did. We both enjoyed seeing where she lived and worked. And learning more about her. Carol, a volunteer, led the tour and did a wonderful job.

Thanks to Millay's sister Norma, much of Steepletop has been preserved, and we took both the house and the garden tour (finishing with the poetry trail up to her grave). Much more information on my blog.

This is my second review, but I feel compelled to review my second visit. We took the white glove tour the second time around. It was expensive, ($50) but it was worth every penny. Especially if you love MIllay, you get the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting this wonderful memorial to her.Peter Bergman gave us the tour. He took as much time as we wanted. He was full of interesting background stories that made the tour that much more indepth.There was a new room open, the dining room where we saw a gorgeous painting of the poet herself. And were treated to the fascinating story of how the room was restored.The highlight of the tour, for me, was when Peter reached into a drawer and pulled out a ringlet, bound by a ribbon, OF THE POET'S HAIR!!! It doesn't get more intimate than that!Whenever I visit Steepletop, I almost feel transported to Millay's time there. It's truly a special place!

Although we were offered a private tour of Edna St Vincent Millay's home, we declined and focused our attention on the poetry trail. A bucolic and leisurely walk through the woods interrupted only by birdsong and our stops to read the poetry posted along the way. Highly recommend for nature and poetry lovers alike!

When I went to see the Berkshires, I had not planned to go to Steepletop. I did not even know it was open to visitors, but our hosts at our B&B directed us there and I'm so glad they did, as it became the highlight of our trip! Edna St. Vincent Millay's home has not been open to the public long and her home is still being catalogued, so when you go inside, it is as if she is still there. It's almost eerie. The poetry trail to her gravesite is absolutely beautiful and when you get to her grave, it is like you've discovered a hidden magical place in the woods.