Lenox, MA history, demographics, links...

Lenox, MA is the hub of the Berkshires' cultural industry. Dubbed "the inland Newport" in the 19th century, Lenox was the location of scores of mansions - the famous Berkshire cottages. With the passing of the Gilded Age, many of the estates were converted to other uses.

The Highwood Estate now is part of Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; Canyon Ranch, perennially rated the #1 spa in the US, is located at the former Bellfontaine, and the nationally prominent Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health occupies the property where Andrew Carnegie's last residence, Shadowbrook, stood (destroyed by fire in 1956).

Besides all the great classical music presented at Tanglewood by the Boston Symphony and the students of the Tanglewood Music Center, there are popular artists concerts such as the annual visit of A Prairie Home Companion, with Garrison Keillor on the Saturday before the Fourth of July.

Lenox, MA Hotels and Inns

how Lenox was settled

"The Rev. Peter Reynolds of Somers, Conn., was one of seven men who had purchased from an inhabitant of Stockbridge who was an undesirable citizen, certain lands in that town, in order the community might be relieved of his further residence there. To compensate these men, the government gave them 4000 acres of uncleared land lying north of Stockbridge.

This tract covered all of what is now the present town of Lenox, and perhaps the township; and in the records of the time it was called the Ministers' Grant, in as much as five of these men were ministers. (The implication, made in a history of the town, that this tract of land belonged to any Minister of the town by virtue of his office and that the title to it was commuted later to his obvious loss, is misleading.)"

Excerpted from Rev. Clayton J. Potter's "Historical Address" given at the Centennial Anniversary of the Dedication of the Old Church on the Hill, Lenox, Massachusetts, June 12, 1906. Read the full text plus see other material, including old postcards of Lenox.

Berkshires schedules and hotels

Lenox attractions:

Lenox, MA facts

  • Lenox Town Hall: 6 Walker St.
  • Phone: (413) 637-5506
  • Population: 5,077
  • Settled/Inc'd: 1736/1767
  • Named for: Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond
  • Elevation: 1,210'
  • Latitude: 42º21'23" N
  • Longitude: 73º17'07" W
  • Area: 21.2 mi²(land), 0.3 mi²(water)

Lenox demographics:

  • Population density: 239.3/mi²
  • Housing density: 127.9/mi²
  • Racial makeup:
    • 96.57% white,
    • 1.91% Hispanic or Latino,
    • 1.30% Black or African American
    • 1.02% Asian,
    • 0.08% Native American,
    • 0.57% from two or more races
    • 0.41% from other races,
    • 0.04% Pacific Islander,
  • Median household income: $45,581
  • Median family income: $61,413
  • Per capita income: $23,263
  • Living below poverty line:
    • 8.9% of the population,
    • 5.6% of families,
    • 10.3% of those under the age of 18
    • 5.8% of those 65 and older,
  • Population by age:
    • 20.8% under the age of 18,
    • 5.1% from 18 to 24,
    • 22.8% from 25 to 44,
    • 26.9% from 45 to 64,
    • 24.4% 65 or older,
    • median age is 46 years
    • For every 100 females there are 84.3 males
  • State agencies info (employment, schools, real estate, etc.): state.ma.us/cc/lenox.html
  • Town website: http://www.townoflenox.com/