The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA is a boutique inn located in the historic community of North Adams, MA. With an expansive view of The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) from its porches, this row of beautifully detailed 19th Century Victorian row houses pays homage to generations of mill worker families who once called them home.
But Porches is more than a piece of history. It is a visible manifestation of the changes brought about by the arrival of MASS MoCA.
Porches is an intentional blend of the old and new. Retro-industrial architecture mingles with modern comforts, cutting edge technology and a design sensibility that could most closely be described as granny chic. The result is an atmosphere that retains a certain homey, quirky spirit that is the underpinning of everything we do.
The Inn’s decor reflects a whimsical approach to life. A unique blend of color and texture throughout create a visually engaging experience that is totally unique to Porches. Spaces are filled with retro furniture and collectibles that range from vintage plates and paint-by-number pictures framed on the walls to vintage TV lamps.
Porches can best be described as homey, ironic with a touch of whimsy. In fact, Travel + Leisure calls the iconic inn “Earnestly homey and at home with irony.” But most of our guests simply call it home when visiting with us in the Berkshires.
THE BACKGROUND
The Porches Inn was the brainchild of international businessman Jack Wadsworth. Wadsworth, an alumnus of nearby Williams College, had a vision – to revitalize the block of seriously run-down but sturdily built, beautifully detailed Victorian row houses that sat vacant across from the museum.
Working closely with Nancy Fitzpatrick, owner of The Red Lion Inn, they determined that the space was the perfect location for an inn. So they set about to turn their vision into a reality. And Porches was born.
Work on the property was completed in eighteen months. The imaginative renovation included long verandas and bold inside/outside spaces. The original houses were restored and connected to form unique common areas for guests to relax in. The interiors mixed striking, colorful style with an homage to the buildings’ 19th Century heritage.
Today, Wadsworth’s ongoing efforts at revitalization continue to change the face and shape of North Adams.
A small, walkable city with the charm of a classic New England mill town infused with a totally artsy vibe. Visitors will find a vibrant, up-and-coming contemporary arts and crafts scene, plentiful galleries, restaurants for every taste and price range, shopping and, of course, the world-renowned MASS MoCA.
North Adams and its surrounding area is also home to dozens of cultural and recreational attractions, including: the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Clark Art Institute, Williams College 62 Center for the Arts, Williams College Museum of Art, Mount Greylock State Reservation, Western Gateway Heritage State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, The Appalachian Trail, and Windsor Lake Park, along with a variety of restaurants and shops. It is only a short drive to five ski areas, a dozen golf courses, the Green Mountains of Vermont, Upstate New York, as well as numerous swimming, fishing, boating and camping facilities. The Berkshire North area is a lovely place to cycle with views that will take your breath away. Learn more at Explore North Adams.
Guests may email Reservations@Porches.com or book directly through our the hotel website www.porches.com.