| In 1954, Edna Y. Schwartz created a supportive
and educational fine and performing arts summer program for women
at Belvoir Terrace. Belvoir continues to be a family-operated business,
now with Edna's daughter and grand-daughter as directors.
At Belvoir, emphasis is placed on individual development, program
excellence, and camper friendships. The opportunity for an individual
program in art, dance, music, theater, and sports is exciting and
fun for motivated young women.
Belvoir Terrace was designed by Rotch & Tilden and built between
1888-1890 for Morris K. Jesup, with landscaping by Frederick Law
Olmstead. John Shepherd purchased the estate in the early 1920's,
making many renovations: the addition of two rooms, the enclosure
of the porch, and the installation of a slate roof. Like Mr. Jesup,
Mr. Shepherd and his family enjoyed summering at Belvoir. As a summer
camp, Belvoir Terrace preserves the great lawn, wooded paths, and
imported trees, while restoring the mansion and carefully developing
new facilities.
In 2001, a study prepared by The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
and The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission stated, "Among
the great estates, Belvoir Terrace is one of the best examples of
an estate that maintains a reasonable balance between active use
and preservation. The balance is attributable to the current owner's
singular knowledge of building preservation standards, adherence
to a maintenance plan, and to the estate's successful re-use
as a summer arts camp. The estate is itself an important focal point
on Cliffwood Street."
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