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| BUCKSTEEP MANOR INN & CONFERENCE CENTER |
History of Bucksteep Manor
Let our estate take you back to the yesteryears of Berkshire County. Feel the era of
the late 19th century as you pass through the original stone wall and pillars bordering
the nearly four hundred acres of Bucksteep. This turn of the century estate was built in
1897 atop Washington Mountain in the heart of the Berkshire Hills. Originally built by
George F. Crane, a wealthy New York attorney, as a replica of a grand estate once
visited in England. Bucksteep was used as a summer and vacation home for the
Cranes’. During this time it was home to luxurious entertaining and some of the finest
thoroughbred horses in Berkshire County. The family erected in 1899 St. Andrew’s
Church, a small architecturally beautiful stone chapel located at the entrance of
Bucksteep, now owned and operated by the town of Washington. The church was
built as a memorial to Mrs. Crane’s parents, the Rev. Andrew Olivier D.D. and
Adelaide Imlay. While the Crane’s were in residence St. Andrew’s was used to hold
services. The Crane’s were well noted for the family’s elaborate Christmas parties for
the neighboring children. Time passed, the children grew older, and the family’s need
for Bucksteep lessened. For this reason, in 1927 Mr. Crane deeded over the estate
to the diocese of Western Massachusetts. He did however; continue to reside at
Bucksteep during the beautiful Berkshire summers, until his death in 1933.
Under the Episcopal Diocese, Bucksteep was used for a variety of functions. It was
first run as a conference center and holiday house of the Girl’s Friendly Society,
distinguishing it throughout New England. It was temporarily closed for two years and
then reopened as a leadership training facility. The diocese later closed Bucksteep’s
door once again in the 1960’s, causing the property to stand deserted, except for
caretaker David Watson. Upon Mr. Watson’s death, the diocese sold the estate to
the Judge Rudolph Sacco, with the exception of St. Andrew’s Church. Mr. Sacco
and his wife, Kay turned Bucksteep into a family vacation center by combining the
estate with the adjoining property, Camp Karu. Today Bucksteep manor is a family
run Inn and Conference center. The estate now includes the large English Country
Manor House, with classical dining room seating, a beautiful front porch, and eight
guest rooms. Two cottages provide fourteen additional guest rooms. A Carriage
Barn with its original hand hewn beams, wood plank floor, stone fireplace, and a
reception lobby is used for wedding receptions, conferences and social parties. Also
a secluded 100 acre campground with rustic cabins, tennis courts, children’s play
area, is available for guest use.
Let our estate take you back to the yesteryears of Berkshire County. Feel the era of
the late 19th century as you pass through the original stone wall and pillars bordering
the nearly four hundred acres of Bucksteep. This turn of the century estate was built in
1897 atop Washington Mountain in the heart of the Berkshire Hills. Originally built by
George F. Crane, a wealthy New York attorney, as a replica of a grand estate once
visited in England. Bucksteep was used as a summer and vacation home for the
Cranes’. During this time it was home to luxurious entertaining and some of the finest
thoroughbred horses in Berkshire County. The family erected in 1899 St. Andrew’s
Church, a small architecturally beautiful stone chapel located at the entrance of
Bucksteep, now owned and operated by the town of Washington. The church was
built as a memorial to Mrs. Crane’s parents, the Rev. Andrew Olivier D.D. and
Adelaide Imlay. While the Crane’s were in residence St. Andrew’s was used to hold
services. The Crane’s were well noted for the family’s elaborate Christmas parties for
the neighboring children. Time passed, the children grew older, and the family’s need
for Bucksteep lessened. For this reason, in 1927 Mr. Crane deeded over the estate
to the diocese of Western Massachusetts. He did however; continue to reside at
Bucksteep during the beautiful Berkshire summers, until his death in 1933.
Under the Episcopal Diocese, Bucksteep was used for a variety of functions. It was
first run as a conference center and holiday house of the Girl’s Friendly Society,
distinguishing it throughout New England. It was temporarily closed for two years and
then reopened as a leadership training facility. The diocese later closed Bucksteep’s
door once again in the 1960’s, causing the property to stand deserted, except for
caretaker David Watson. Upon Mr. Watson’s death, the diocese sold the estate to
the Judge Rudolph Sacco, with the exception of St. Andrew’s Church. Mr. Sacco
and his wife, Kay turned Bucksteep into a family vacation center by combining the
estate with the adjoining property, Camp Karu. Today Bucksteep manor is a family
run Inn and Conference center. The estate now includes the large English Country
Manor House, with classical dining room seating, a beautiful front porch, and eight
guest rooms. Two cottages provide fourteen additional guest rooms. A Carriage
Barn with its original hand hewn beams, wood plank floor, stone fireplace, and a
reception lobby is used for wedding receptions, conferences and social parties. Also
a secluded 100 acre campground with rustic cabins, tennis courts, children’s play
area, is available for guest use.
