Bellefontaine, Lenox, Massachussetts

Bellefontaine was built in 1897 during the "Guilded Age" by Giraud Foster as a retreat for his family. The mansion is a copy of Louis XVI's Petit Trianon and was the most ornate and lavish of the summer cottages, yet the most constant in theme of design, appointments, decoration, and landscaping. Drawing on a European heritage dating back at least to his grandfather, a man of considerable means who came to this country from Scotland in his own ship, Giraud Foster -- possibly of all the cottagers -- most perfectly fit the classic mold of lord of the manor.

Built in 1897 of local brick and marble from the quarries of nearby Lee, Bellefontaine was in all other respects an authentic period piece, and Giraud Foster lived in it with graceful authenticity. As befits the true lord of the manor, Foster was visible and active in the community, known to its citizens and knowing them, serving as president of local clubs, senior warden of neighboring Trinity Church, and a manager of the Lenox Library. Until his death in 1945, although he admitted to residences elsewhere, Bellefontaine was the home of his heart.

Bellefontaine was sold at auction in 1946. The statuaries that remained after the auction (rumor has it) were plowed under as pagan symbols by the religious order that purchased it in 1947. A fire gutted the main building two years later, and today only the library remains from the grand design.

The Family Foster

Andrew Foster (b. 1772) arrived in America in the first years of the 19th century. Owner of his own clipper ship transport company, he married Ann Giraud, daughter of Jacob Giraud. Together they had a son Frederick Giraud Foster, who married Emily Hone. Frederick and Emily had seven children: Clara, Frederick, Giraud, Marie Antoinettte, Emily, John and Albert.

Giraud (age 42) attended school at Harvard and in 1892 married Jane Van Nest (age 33). Twelve years later they had a child together, Giraud Foster II. Known as "Boy" Foster, Giraud II was born in the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City in 1904. Jane Foster died in 1932.

Burial Grounds at Bellefontaine

Near the current entrance to the campus along Route 7A are the headstones of seven Jesuit Priests whose order occupied Bellefontaine for several years.