The mid-century house at Field Farm was built by Lawrence Bloedel, who attended Williams College and later worked as the college's librarian.

The grounds at Field Farm features more than a dozen works of art and miles of trails.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Trustees of Reservations is now accepting applications at the Guest House at Field Farm in Williamstown and The Inn at Castle Hill in Ipswich, appealing to travelers with intimate, small-scale boarding, outdoor recreation, and historical accommodations that make you "feel like you're staying in a museum."  

It has quite the year for the travel industry.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trustees are utilizing technology and encouraging guests to explore the natural beauty that their properties boast.

"There was a lot of growing pains," Trustees Director of Recreational Enterprise Matthew Krumme said. "In terms of staffing and running the operation, very, very different, but as we got later and people feel more comfortable in the summertime, it did feel a little bit more normal and people were also very conscious of COVID because everyone's living in it wherever they are."

Krumme oversees the Guest House at Field Farm and aims to build more awareness around the property because he feels like many people don't know about it.

"I still don't feel like there's an awareness out there how cool this place is because we get a lot of people coming to the property itself, not just for the bed and breakfast, but for the four or five miles of trails and the landscape that's there," he said.

The Williamstown property, built in the mid-1940s, is an authentic mid-century modern bed and breakfast experience that offers "unparalleled" views of Mount Greylock and more than 300 acres of conservation land. Its six guest rooms feature furnishings that are meant to transport guests back in time and the building is renovated to restore its original state.  

For art lovers, the Guest House features 13 sculptures in the surrounding gardens including works from Richard M. Miller and Herbert Ferber. Other works of art include reproduced Eileen Gray tables and George Nelson saucer pendant lamps, a Noguchi coffee table, Kagan sofas, and a reproduction Eames chair.

"When you're staying there, you almost feel like you are on the set of 'Mad Men,' at least that's the way I feel when I walked in, and so it's just very quirky and interesting, and there's no other than breakfast like it," Krumme said. "Each room is very different has different furnishings, so each room has its own real story."

Being only 10 minutes from the center of town, guests have easy access to MASS MoCA in North Adams, the Clark, and Williams College Museum of Art.

The house was built by Lawrence Bloedel who attended Williams College and later worked as the college's librarian. He purchased the property as a farm and was very interested in architecture, art, and woodworking. This contributed to the style of the building.

"It's amazing to me because a lot of that furniture is still there in the bed and breakfast," Krumme said. "so when you're staying there, it is a mid-century modern Museum in a way, so for people who are coming out to Williamstown and they're going to Mass MoCA, they're going to the Clark it's a way to really almost feel like you're staying within a museum, a lot of the furniture is original."

To make guests feel safe within the walls of the Guest House, there is touch less check-in, optional guest service, and grab-and-go breakfast among a few of the changes Krumme said the inn has made.

It is also extending a spring special through June 24 and a weekday special, which offers a 50 percent discount for every two nights purchased and a free night for every three nights purchased.

Krumme explained that he would love to welcome a younger demographic as well as the inn's usual clientele because there is something for everyone to enjoy on the property.

Even though the pandemic delayed the season, the Guest House opened in July of last year and saw one of the busiest years yet from August to October. The plan is to stay open for a few weekends and holiday time periods over the winter next year.

For those seeking coastal charm, the Inn at Castle Hill is located next to Crane Beach on the Crane Estate. Castle Hill is described as an elegant yet cozy getaway with snug beds, expansive views over the salt marshes, hearty breakfasts, and a warm and attentive staff.  

It is nestled on 2,100 acres of landscaped grounds where guests can enjoy guided hikes and kayaking experiences.

"There are just a lot of different areas to explore there," Krumme said. "So we've purchased a fleet of kayaks we're going to have kayak guides and take people out for guided tours."

He explained that Crane beach is protected, but The Trustees allow the public to use it during the day.  Additionally, the Trustee's other property Appleton Farms is a short drive away.

"Both of these inns, located in spectacular settings of extraordinary natural beauty, offer the serenity and space to reconnect with nature for a bed and breakfast experience like no other," Krumme said in a press release. "This is the calm retreat we all deserve following an incredibly difficult year."

For more information about the inns or to make reservations online, visit the Trustee's Website.
 

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