(BPT) - Do you enjoy losing yourself in a book, daydreaming about the lives of famous poets or following the creative journeys of beloved authors? If so, you may want to jump aboard the surging literary travel trend - also known as bibliotourism. Whether you're planning a trip with your book club besties or a solo literature-inspired adventure, you can find all the inspiration you'll want in Western Massachusetts.
Home to renowned colleges and universities, and birthplace of numerous writers and artists, Western Mass is a historic hub of creativity, inspiration and invention, with a scenic backdrop worthy of any poem or novel, making it the perfect destination to send you on a journey of discovery.
Here are some highlights to add to your literary travel itinerary.
Hope is the thing with feathers
Have Emily Dickinson's famous poems ever inspired you? Then make a pilgrimage to the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, when it reopens in March. You can walk in Emily's footsteps as you visit her restored historic home and witness her creative space. It may be just the encouragement you need to create your own sanctuary or put pen to paper when you return home.
In search of the white whale
If seafaring tales of mystery and metaphor are more your speed, don't miss the chance to visit Herman Melville's Arrowhead, where the author sought peace and tranquility in the Berkshires for thirteen years. There he found inspiration to write acclaimed works like Moby-Dick and Bartleby the Scrivener. If you have literary aspirations yourself, you'll want to check out their writer's series, which includes workshops with esteemed authors and poets.
While you're in the Berkshires, sneak a peek at homes where Nathaniel Hawthorne (of "The Scarlet Letter" fame) lived, though they are not open to visitors. On the Tanglewood Campus you can find the replica cottage called the "Little Red House" where he wrote "The House of the Seven Gables," and Highwood Manor, where "Tanglewood Tales" was penned.
Spreading light
Acclaimed novelist Edith Wharton once said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that receives it." The Pulitzer-prize winning author of "The Age of Innocence" is memorialized at The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home in Lenox. Her historic home includes not only exhibits about her life and work, but also hosts special events, performances, an author series and more. The museum opens again in May, so plan your trip accordingly.
Worth a thousand words
Where would many books and publications be without their illustrations? The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge celebrates not only the iconic work of illustrator and painter Norman Rockwell, but also offers exhibits, events and activities exploring the illustrations, art and cartoons of a diverse range of artists who helped tell - and continue to tell - the American story. Make sure to check the website for upcoming events.
Quintessential college towns
Towns surrounding the campuses of the famed 5 Colleges Consortium (Mount Holyoke, Smith, Hampshire, Amherst and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst) abound with independent bookstores to thrill any bibliophile, plus coffee shops, cafes, literary festivals, performances, theaters and art galleries galore.
Walk the paths of notable writers who attended or taught at schools from the consortium including Emily Dickinson, Margaret Mitchell, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, Betty Friedan, James Baldwin, Ken Burns, David Foster Wallace, Paul Theroux, Lauren Groff and many more.
Additional highlights include:
- Amherst: The acclaimed Mead Art Museum and fascinating Yiddish Book Center.
- South Hadley: The Joseph A. Skinner Museum, hosting myriad collections including fossils, maritime objects, historic artifacts and more - including the door to the 18th-century childhood home of Mary Lyon, founder of Mount Holyoke College.
- Northampton: Admire the renowned collection at the Smith College Museum of Art, which is free to the public.
Revisit your childhood
Love children's literature or dream of writing storybooks? You'll want to put both Springfield and Amherst on your list. Home to the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, Springfield is the town where Dr. Seuss - also known as Theodor Geisel - was born in 1904, and the museum offers a lively glimpse into his imaginary world. If you love the beauty of a well-crafted picture book, stop at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art to see how modern classics like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" were created.
Ready to find your literary inspiration? Learn more about where you can read - or write - your next chapter at ExploreWesternMass.com.
