More to the Story

By Margaret Cherin
Interim Executive Director, Chesterwood

On behalf of Chesterwood, I would like to respond to the recent destruction of the Tea House structure at 22 Prospect Hill, a garden folly designed by Daniel Chester French in 1916 for his friends, the Lamonds, at their property called "Fair Acres". In addition to being one of the country's most revered sculptors of public monuments at the turn of the century, French also had a keen interest in garden design (as evidenced by the gardens and woodland trails at Chesterwood) and was often called upon by friends in the Berkshires to create designs for their gardens. Several gardens are still extant, several fell into disrepair. Over a year ago Chesterwood was approached by the owners of 22 Prospect Hill looking for more information about the Tea House on their property — no longer part of any formal garden but a remnant of the original Gilded Age garden. Fortunately, Chesterwood holds archival photos and blueprints of the structure which we happily shared. About a year later the owners contacted Chesterwood again with the news that they have determined with their contractor that the structure must come down within a matter of days. Again, we visited the Tea House and pressed the owners and contractor into finding a solution, either to move it further back on their property, approach a neighbor, appeal to the town, etc. Unfortunately, the contractor moved quickly before a solution could be found. Chesterwood is deeply regretful about the loss of this piece of Daniel Chester French's legacy as an artist and garden designer.

Daniel Chester French garden structure in situ