The Work and Mission ofThe Millay Society
Learn MoreAbout Millay & the Property
From 1925 to 1950, Edna St. Vincent Millay lived and worked on a farm in the hamlet of Austerlitz in Columbia County, New York, a farm which she named Steepletop. The name was drawn from a wildflower which grew all over the property: Steeplebush, or Hardhack, technically Spirea Tomentosa. Steepletop then encompassed 700 acres including a wonderful garden designed, planted and maintained by Millay herself.
At the core of this garden stands Millay's house. Built in 1892, the same year in which Millay was born, its original Victorian glories were removed by Millay to create a simple New England farmhouse. Today the house still holds all of her furniture, her books and other possessions, many of which remain where they were on the day she died, October 19, 1950.
The principal goal of The Millay Society and the Friends of Millay supporter program is to foster and appreciate Millay's literary legacy and to restore and preserve this unique site, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark since 1972. Steepletop is a work-in-progress run by a small but committed group of trustees whose goal is to make Millay’s historic home and property a lasting gem in the beautiful Berkshires.
Preserve
Our Society is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of this unique site, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.Restore
The annual contributions provided by members of the Friends of Millay supporter program are helping to make restorations to the property possible.Educate
Visitors can enjoy viewing the re-claimed gardens, walk the Poetry Trail, and marvel at the expansive vista from the tennis court high above the house.Appreciate
The Millay Society and the Friends of Millay supporter program fosters appreciation for Millay's literary legacy.literary estateRights & Permissions
The Millay Society owns the copyrights to the literary estate of Edna St. Vincent Millay. All published and unpublished writings, including songs, by Millay and her family are protected under copyright law.
who we areOur Board of Trustees

Vincent Elizabeth Barnett
President

Mark O'Berski
Vice President / Treasurer

Holly Peppe
Literary Executor / Trustee

Krystyna Poray Goddu
Secretary/Literary Officer

Lora Woodward
Trustee

Margaret Heilbrun
Trustee

Tyne Daly
Honorary Trustee
Meet OurCore Team


Prescott Haley, Caretaker
Prescott has been Steepletop’s caretaker since 2015. He is responsible for the security and ongoing maintenance of the structures and grounds. As an avid hiker, he was immediately drawn to the surrounding woodlands and over the years, has developed a deep respect and connection to the property and the poet.
Leigh Schmidt, Gardener
Leigh joined the Millay team in 2020 as our seasonal Gardener. An Educator, Coach and Sustainability Director for most of the year at The Millbrook School, he comes to Steepletop and works in the dirt in the summer months, keeping the weeds out and nurturing Vincent and Eugen's visions for the outside garden rooms.Millay Society at SteepletopCheck Out Our Video
See What's Been HappeningIn The Press & News
Appreciating Edna St. Vincent Millay at the Literary Legend’s Valley Home

Latest
Conservation Grant from New York State Partnership Program Ensures Protection of Steepletop Land in Perpetuity

The Legacy of One Extraordinary Woman: Poetry, Peace, and Personal Freedom

How Fame Fed on Edna St. Vincent Millay

New York Times’ Book Review: In Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Diaries, the Private Life of a Celebrity Poet
