The Mount Receives $300,000
Anonymous Gift Addresses May Crisis
By: Mount - Jan 19, 2011
The Mount, the National Historic Landmark estate of Edith Wharton in Lenox Massachusetts , has received a $300,000 gift from an anonymous local donor. The gift was the direct result of recent media coverage that highlighted The Mount’s financial challenges.
An article under the headline “Mount seeks help” prompted the donor immediately to write a letter to Executive Director Susan Wissler expressing appreciation for her “candid appraisal and openness”; admiration for the significant reduction in the debt achieved last July; and concern over the $1 million principal repayment The Mount faces in May 2011.
In a subsequent conversation, the donor cited her great admiration for Edith Wharton’s writings and many other accomplishments as well as her deep love of The Mount, which she regards as a national treasure. Although preferring to remain anonymous, it is the donor’s hope that her immediate action will prompt others to step up as well. In accordance with her wishes, a portion of the gift will go toward debt repayment with the balance to defray ongoing operating expenses.
“We are thrilled and buoyed by this latest turn of events” said Wissler. “While financial challenges remain, the positive momentum is undeniably building. This major gift is another proof that we are headed in the right direction.”
Wissler said that The Mount’s year-end appeal, which in two months raised over $350,000, and the recent invigoration of the board with eight new trustees were other powerful indicators of the Mount’s progress. Five of the new trustees have strong Berkshire County , MA connections and all are active supporters and leaders of the Berkshire cultural community, including former Norman Rockwell Museum President Lila Berle and former Berkshire Theatre Festival President Carter White.
“The power and energy of this new expanded board is only beginning to manifest itself,” said Wissler. “With the addition of these trustees, The Mount’s ability to make new friends and attract additional support has increased exponentially.”
While most of The Mount’s earned revenues are generated during the peak summer months, the organization is moving steadily toward becoming a year-round programming venue. Tours of the property run from May through October, and throughout the year The Mount is host to an expanding range of literary events. Two panel discussions are scheduled for March 2011: “How It Happens: Writing Process and Publishing” on March 12, and “Women Poets and their First Loves” on March 19.
Despite a greatly reduced operating budget, planning is already under way for several popular programs: the Biography Lecture Series will return for its 19th year, and the Friday Night Ghost Tours will resume in June. Other program partners, including the Wharton Salon and the Berkshire Theatre Festival, are working with The Mount to plan a variety of quality programs throughout the season. Funding is actively being sought for the Berkshire WordFest, the literary festival The Mount inaugurated last July, currently scheduled for late September.
“Maintaining the energy and enthusiasm generated last season is a top priority,” said Wissler. “We intend to keep the momentum going.”