Modular Mountain Retreat Project

A History of Elm Court Video

Bob Vila meets with Bob Berle at Elm Court in the Berkshire Hills. Berle‘s great-great grandparents, Vanderbilt-Sloanes, had the home built in 1886. It expanded through several additions to become the largest shingle-style home in the United States. The original architects, Peabody and Stearns, oversaw all the additions to the home and kept it within its original character while adding some flare, like the Tudor timberwork and towers. The Vanderbilt-Sloanes liked size and when they copied a fountain from the Piazza Mattei in Rome, they increased it by about 20 times the size of the original. The grounds and surrounding gardens were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Central Park in New York. The grounds beautifully transition the home into the surrounding countryside. Elm Court, named after a three hundred-year-old Elm tree in the backyard, has been the site of several historic gatherings including the 1919 Elm Court Talks that led to the Treaty of Versailles.

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	Other Video Clips from this Episode

	NOW PLAYING A History of Elm Court Bob Vila meets with Bob Berle at Elm Court in the Berkshire Hills. Berle‘s great-great grandparents, Vanderbilt-Sloanes, had the home built in 1886. It expanded through several additions to become ...
	Elm Court Foyer and Fireplace Bob Vila greets Sonya Berle who shows off the large foyer and explains how she and her husband started with small restorations in New Orleans before beginning their grand plans ... Watch video and view full description
	Adapting New Technology to Historic Properties Bob Berle shows Bob Vila the bowels of the home and points out the decay that was prevalent but currently under repair. The 35,000 square foot basement was open to ... Watch video and view full description
	Elm Court's Library and Architectural Detailing Bob Vila meets with Sonya and Bob Berle in the library of Elm Court to discuss the interior design and preservation of this magnificent example of turn-of-the-century design and opulence. ... Watch video and view full description