A CREATIVE RETREAT & ENVIRONMENTAL SANCTUARY
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ACRES is a private estate located in the lush hills of the Berkshire Mountains. The property features a 1200sf cabin, a rustic event barn, historic stone ruins, 2 naturally flowing rivers, an oversized beaver pond, a vernal pool, hiking trails, and 1400ft granite cliffs, set on 220 acres of dense, unspoiled wild lands.
WELCOME TO ACRES
IDYLLIC NEW ENGLAND—
Surrounded by state forest on all sides, ACRES is an idyllic New England rarity, with a mission to remain that way. Our goal is to facilitate the making of new histories in this eden, while honoring the history that preceded us, so it may remain an intentionally wild, natural environment, and continue to foster new connections, new ideas, and new life.
EXPLORE THE PROPERTY
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THE KELLY BARN
Erected by the former owner from reclaimed wood, the barn stands upon an original foundation from the 1800s. With four sliding doors, it makes the perfect location for intimate events.
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THE LAKE
At the center of the property sits a uniquely shaped lake formed over time by beavers damning Walker Brook. It is fed by both Walker Brook and Spark Brook.
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SPARK BROOK
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TRAILS
All throughout the property are trails from different eras. While not maintained regularly, they are well defined and easily traveled.
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FLORA
From fiddlehead ferns to seasonal mushrooms, these forests are a forager’s playground. Each season brings new life to the property, ready to be discovered.
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WILDLIFE
What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
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![HISTORIC RUINS]()
HISTORIC RUINS
Stone walls remain where the original dairy farm and grain silo once stood near the entrance of the property. Additional stone walls are found all over the property dating back to the 1800s.
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Walker Brook
Walker Brook runs along Rte. 20 and flows into the property right behind the barn and feeds into the beaver pond.
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THE FOREST
The majority of the property is covered in untamed, unspoiled natural forest that abuts the Becket State forest on three sides.
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GRANITE CLIFFS
On the left side of the property are trails that lead to boulder strewn cliffs formed of huge chunks of granite. Rumor has it the property was an illegal granite mine way back in the day.
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The Cottage
The 1200sf cottage sits atop the original foundation of the windmill that powered the farm long ago. The stone fireplace makes for cozy evenings in the winter.
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
ABOUT ACRES—
Dating back to the early 1800’s, the property was originally established as a dairy farm by early settlers arriving in the area. At that time, it included our closest neighbor on the other side of Rte. 20 as part of the same property. Eventually they would split and become two separate properties.
ACRES has five remaining concrete foundations from the original structures built at the time of the dairy farm. The barn was built by the former owner upon one of them, and the cottage stands upon the foundation of the windmill that powered the farm in the 1800’s.
Rumor has it that during some time between the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the property was used as an illegal granite quarry, which would explain the huge rectangular rock formations you see as you explore the granite cliffs.
In the ‘60’s, the property was purchased by an industrious man who envisioned turning the property into a camp. He made great efforts to shape the landscape by adding “fingers” to the lake to optimize the amount of waterfront camping options. He also added bridges and made trails throughout the property, most notably, along the right side overlooking Walker Brook. He eventually added the cabin in 1986.
The property was sold again in the 1990’s and became a private family retreat for the next 30 years. The owners lovingly maintained what had been there for decades, and left it mostly unchanged with the exception of the building of the event barn which hosted family weddings over the years.
Today, ACRES remains a private retreat and nature sanctuary. While the recent addition of fiber internet has brought new meaning to the idea of “remote work”, it’s hard to escape the feeling of being transported to a more simple place and time while you are here, no matter the season.
A LITTLE HISTORY OF BECKET—
Becket is a Berkshire hilltown that was established in 1765, having begun as Plantation Number 4. The town was originally laid out in 1735 along with three other towns along the wilderness trail that connected the lower Housatonic Valley with the Connecticut Valley and Boston. From its earliest days, Becket was involved in the woodland industries of lumber and quarries. As time went on, dairy production, basketry and silk also were products of the town.
Becket, much like its neighboring hilltowns, is special in that it has maintained its rural character and open spaces over the decades. Route 20, also known as the Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, ambles through many of the towns that the Mass Turnpike left forgotten. A trip on Route 20 gives people the sense of being transported back to a time when the Berkshires were bucolic farmland and untouched wilderness.
After a flood in the early twentieth century, most of the industries in town died out, and today Becket is mostly known for its natural beauty and expansive landscape. It operates primarily as an escape for nature lovers, those looking for trout in the West Branch of the Westfield river, overnight camps and a strong artists' community surrounding the Jacob's Pillow Dance Center.
RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES
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ACRES is the perfect setting for intimate barn weddings, family gatherings, corporate offsites, nature retreats, and even film or photo productions. With 220 acres of varying landscape, ultimate privacy, and fiber internet, the options are endless for customizing unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experiences.
