The Mission House

This Open Day is presented in partnership with The Trustees of the Reservations.

Mission House in Stockbridge is one of only three surviving Fletcher Steele masterworks open to the public. The Mission House gardens (designed 1926-28) reflect Steele’s capable interpretation of Stockbridge’s 18th century garden history blended with the romance and artistic hues of the Colonial Revival. Mission House was moved to this site in 1926 and restored as a historic house museum. The gardens were developed at the same time, not as a restoration of an existing garden, but as a detailed interpretation of a colonial setting for the historic structure. Starting in 2022, The Trustees recognized the larger story indigenous story of the Stockbridge landscape, and the impact of Christian missionaries on the existing vibrant Stockbridge Munsee tribe of the Mohican Nation. Partnering with tribal leaders, interpretation of the Mission House story has been expanded and revised to focus on its indigenous legacy, including the interpretation of indigenous plants within the framework of the Steele garden.

On Sunday, July 30 admission to The Mission House and Naumkeag are FREE for members of The Garden Conservancy. Pre-registration is required.