Santarella is the historic estate of Sir Henry Hudson Kitson, an English American sculptor best known in Massachusetts for the Lexington Minuteman and Plymouth Rock Maiden. Around 1920, when the 4-acre homestead consisted of an 18th century colonial house and a dairy barn, Kitson began transforming the property. Inspired by his time in the English countryside, he turned the existing barn into his art studio and called it Santarella. Affectionately known as the "Gingerbread House," the studio's most striking feature is its 80-ton, asphalt shingled storybook roof, inspired by autumn leaves blowing in the wind across the Tyringham Valley. Other whimsical details include huge stone buttresses, stained glass windows, and gothic doorways. Kitson also created a cluster of other fairytale inspired buildings, including a cottage and detached tower, which he used as additional studio space. These projects, along with an enchanting garden, became his primary focus for the last 25 years of his life. After Kitson's death, Santarella was bought by the Davis family, who operated the Tyringham Galleries until 1996. Since then, the property has served many functions, from the Henry Kitson Museum and Sculpture Gardens to a wedding venue. Current owners Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley are restoring and maintaining the property, seeking support to rebuild the 100 year old storybook roof so Santarella can serve local artists and nonprofits and host community events while being preserved for future generations.

Photo: Steve Stoessel

Photo: Steve Stoessel

Photo: Steve Stoessel