LENOX — Looming over the landscape just east of downtown, the Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum still looks much as it did when it was completed in 1893 as a summer cottage for George and Sarah Morgan. It’s a renovation-in-progress, but major restoration in recent years has heightened Ventfort Hall's profile among visitors and tourists. Ventfort Hall had about 20,000 visitors in 2024 — up from 11,000 in 2022 — who took a tour or attended performances, talks, teas and private events.
Operating and grant revenue tripled to $932,000 for 2024, compared to 2022, according to Executive Director Wendy Healey. Wendy Healey, executive director of Ventfort Hall, said the Gilded age museum in Lenox has "gained a lot of momentum in the past two years." “We’ve gained a lot of momentum in the past two years,” said Healey, which she attributed to post-pandemic pent-up demand for entertainment and networking.
“That effect can continue to work in our favor,” she said. However, to expect a tripling of revenue every two years may be a goal too far. The nonprofit’s balance sheet reflected a slight loss for the year just ended because of investments in restorations, programming and staffing, Healey told The Eagle.
So far, according to Eagle files, about $1.5 million has been spent on renovations. Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum in Lenox has finished one phase of renovation, including the reconstruction of three chimneys.
In 2025, fundraising will aim towa.
