An Old Stone Wall Transforms into a Seemingly Ancient Amphitheater

Marcia Downing came up the wooded path, stood at the foot of the Garden’s amphitheater and paused. A first-time visitor from Indiana, she couldn’t help but express her awe. Turning to a staff member, she posed a question that would bring joy to the creators of this new, ancient-looking masterwork of landscape design.

“Does this predate the Botanical Garden?”

Mission accomplished.

While the Berkshire Botanical Garden has been in existence since 1934, the Williams Family Amphitheater was merely a dream until this spring. Last year, the dream took shape as a rough sketch, followed by a stroke of good fortune, followed by an astonishing achievement of craftsmanship.

BBG had long recognized the Garden’s need for additional outdoor event space for children’s programming, performances, presentations, and weddings. Last year, Matt Larkin, BBG’s chairman of the Board of Trustees, met up with fellow Trustee Tom Ingersoll, an arborist and landscape designer, and the two agreed in general terms on what the amphitheater should be. Namely, it should be something spectacular, preferably made from native stone.

Good fortune came earlier this year when Matt was approached by the stonemason Mark Mendel of Monterey Masonry, who has taught many classes at the Garden over the years. Mark had clients nearby who wanted an old stone wall on their property removed. BBG seized the opportunity, conducting a reconnaissance mission to measure and inventory the wall. Constructed from locally quarried marble long ago, the wall provided just enough material to meet BBG’s needs. The rough stones were also the right size for seating. They were blocky. They were perfect.

“This was a heaven-sent opportunity,” Tom said.

By then, Matt had secured funding for the amphitheater’s construction from Rob and Carol Williams, who have long supported the Garden’s mission, especially its education programs both at the Garden and in local schools.

By April, the stone wall had been disassembled and transported to its new home upon a sloping site in the wooded southern portion of BBG’s property. The project had begun.

Notably, the amphitheater that emerged over the next two months was not the result of high-tech engineering or computer-aided design. It was a testament to old-school oomph and artistry.

“Literally,” said Tom, “it was figuring out how it was going to work, on the ground, in person, live.”

Tree removal was kept to a minimum, primarily targeting ash trees already under attack by the emerald ash borer. Matt and Tom were particularly careful to preserve two stunning cherry trees and a beautiful silver maple, which now contribute to the amphitheater’s cathedral-like canopy.

“Even as we got half-way done the project, Matt and I were looking at each other and going, ‘Holy moley!’” said Tom. He hastens to give credit to his crew — members of the Gomez family — a father, son and uncle who originally hail from Puebla, in Mexico.

Visitors who come upon the amphitheater are surprised to discover this 65-seat marvel in the woods. Newly planted native flora accompany the intricately tiered stonework, along with a pergola and presentation screen, both built by Aaron Dunn out of locally harvested locust trees. The materials used in the construction all are local. In fact, the Goshen stone — used on the stair treads and elsewhere — came the furthest distance, a mere 30 miles away, Tom said.

“From the beginning of Matt’s concept, we talked about, ‘Can we build something that complements the existing landscape, as opposed to making something deliberately modern, angular and imposed upon the landscape?’” Tom said. “We wanted it to look as if you’ve just come upon ancient ruins.”

The Williams Family Amphitheater is built in honor of Rob and Carol’s two sons and their five grandchildren.

“This is just better than we could have imagined,” said Rob, a 20-year BBG trustee. “I love it.”

“It’s just right,” said Carol.

The amphitheater was swiftly put to use this summer, the site of activities for BBG’s Farm in the Garden Camp, special presentations, classes, and the Family Fridays series.

By the way, if you find yourself questioning the comfort of the stone seating, fear not. Krissy Romano, Visitor Center manager, has thoughtfully provided cushions (paid for by Rob and Carol) that can be borrowed during events for added relaxation.