Mountain Rest
Why it's listed
Mountain Rest is a missionary retreat on a wooded hilltop in Goshen, Massachusetts, built between 1902 and 1906. Its six buildings, a barn and a carriage shed sit on nearly 33 acres of land once part of the Barrus farm. The largest building, Scudder Hall, was the center of daily life, while the cottages honor missionaries such as Judson, Kerr and Stuart. All are plain, clapboarded and functional, reflecting the missionary spirit rather than fashionable decoration. Dr. George Dowkontt founded the retreat in 1902 as a place where medical missionaries could rest during furloughs in the United States and teach students preparing for mission medicine. Local masons, Henry Hathaway & Sons, worked on the complex, and visiting missionaries led services at the town's Congregational Church. The retreat closed in 1970 as interest in mission work declined. Livingstone Cottage was heavily remodeled and no longer contributes, but the rest of the complex retains its historic character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Mountain Rest is an early example of a missionary retreat in the Berkshire foothills and the start of institution-sponsored summer resort camps in the area. It also served as an educational center where returning medical missionaries taught future missionary doctors. Its plain, functional buildings reflect the Protestant ethic and missionary spirit, and it retains integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83003984, listed November 10, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Spruce Corner Rd., Goshen |
|---|---|
| County | Hampshire County |
| Listed | November 10, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003984 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902-1906 |
| Architect / builder | Henry Hathaway & Sons (masons) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Literature, Education, Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The retreat closed on June 27, 1970. Livingstone Cottage was heavily altered in the 1970s and is no longer a contributing component. The barn was converted to a community center in the 1940s and a bakery in the 1970s. |
| Acreage | 32.8 |
| Coordinates | 42.46055, -72.83919 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83003984.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715733
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.