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

Permissions Inquiries

Literary Executor

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 All published and unpublished writings, including songs, by Millay and her family are protected under copyright law.

For permission to quote from or to reproduce these works in English or in translation, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, print, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, you must contact the Literary Executor of the Millay Society (name and address below) with a request in writing that contains the following information:

The title of the Millay work(s) to be used.
How the Millay work(s) will be used.
Which specific countries or geographic regions you are seeking distribution rights for (for example: USA, North America, World, etc.).
When the materials will be made available and to whom.
How you will display the copyright notice and credits.

who we areOur Board of Trustees

Vincent Elizabeth Barnett
President

Mark O'Berski
Vice President / Treasurer

Megan Morgans Ainsworth
Trustee

Holly Peppe
Literary Executor / Trustee

Krystyna Poray Goddu
Secretary

Judy Soukup
Trustee

Lora Woodword
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.