Unique Experiences
Private tour of Arrowhead, the home of Herman Melville
- Item Number
- 249
- Estimated Value
- 120 USD
- Sold
- 110 USD to js1bccaf6
- Number of Bids
- 9 - Bid History
Item Description
Private tour for up to 6 people of Herman Melville’s home, Arrowhead, headquarters of the Berkshire County Historical Society.
Arrowhead, also known as the Herman Melville House, is a historic house museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It was the home of American author Herman Melville during his most productive years, 1850–1863. Here, Melville wrote some of his major works: the novels Moby-Dick, Pierre (dedicated to nearby Mount Greylock), The Confidence-Man, and Israel Potter; The Piazza Tales (a short story collection named for Arrowhead's porch); and magazine stories such as "I and My Chimney".
Melville's jobs at Arrowhead, which encompassed barns and 160 acres, included milking and taking care of the cows and the horse, named Charlie. He also had an ox, and a Newfoundland dog. He planted corn, potatoes, hay, tomatoes, and pumpkins, plowed and split wood, and did some carpentry work. He also harvested apples and made cider.
In late 1850, Melville wrote this description of his routine at Arrowhead:
I rise at eight–thereabouts–& go to my barn–say good-morning to the horse, & give him his breakfast. (It goes to my heart to give him a cold one, but it can’t be helped) Then, pay a visit to my cow–cut up a pumpkin or two for her, & stand by to see her eat it–for it’s a pleasant sight to see a cow move her jaws–she does it so mildly & with such a sanctity.–My own breakfast over, I go to my work-room & light my fire–then spread my M.S.S. on the table–take one business squint at it, & fall to with a will. At 2 1/2 p.m. I hear a preconcerted knock at my door, which (by request) continues till I rise & go to the door, which serves to wean me effectively from my writing, however interested I may be. . . .
Purchase of this item supports Thoreau Farm Trust (TFT) and the preservation of Henry David Thoreau’s Birthplace.
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