Self-Guided Tour
Jacob’s Pillow was founded in 1933 by dance pioneer Ted Shawn and is home to America’s longest-running international dance festival. The Pillow also encompasses The School at Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most prestigious professional dance training centers in the U.S.; the Pillow Lab, a residency program that supports new choreography; growing Community Engagement programs that serve local children, artists, and community members alike; an Internship Program that provides professional advancement and training opportunities; and a rare and extensive Archives, open to the public and available online at archives.jacobspillow.org, which chronicles more than a century of dance through photographs, performance videos, costumes, and more, with curated content available at danceinteractive.jacobspillow.org.
After it was settled by the Carter family as a farm in the late 18th century, then served as a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 19th century, the property was purchased in 1931 by legendary dancer/choreographer Ted Shawn. This site was to serve as a retreat for himself and his dancers, and so began the story of Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. In 2003, Jacob’s Pillow was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States government, the first and only dance site to receive this honor. On this tour, you will learn about the Pillow’s past and present, and its role in the cultural history of America.
It is with gratitude and humility that Jacob’s Pillow acknowledges that it rests on the ancestral homelands of the Muh-he-con-ne-ok or Mohican people, who are the Indigenous peoples of this land. Despite tremendous hardship in being forced from here, today they reside in Wisconsin and are known as the Stockbridge-Munsee Community. We pay honor and respect to their ancestors and elders past and present as we commit to building a more inclusive and equitable space for all. In addition, we acknowledge the Nipmuc, the Wampanoag, and other tribal nations who also made their homes in what is now known as Massachusetts, and we recognize their continued existence and contributions to our region. We invite you to visit jacobspillow.org/land to learn more about our partnerships and how to become involved.
Follow this Self-Guided Tour to discover the past and present of Jacob’s Pillow and the role it played in shaping the cultural history of America.
1. Ted Shawn Theatre
Built in 1942, this 620-seat theater was the first in North America constructed specifically for dance. Designed by Joseph Franz (who also planned Tanglewood’s Koussevitzky Music Shed), it was constructed of hand-hewn native pine to comply with wartime restrictions as well as for its aesthetic beauty. The weathervane atop the roof depicts Barton Mumaw, Ted Shawn’s lead dancer. Jacob's Pillow completed a $9 million renovation in June 2022 to bring this beloved space into the 21st century, all while maintaining its treasured look and feel. The legacy of this timbered haven for dance is deeply tied to the future of the Pillow and our field.
2. Doris Duke Theatre
In July 2025, Jacob's Pillow opened the reimagined Doris Duke Theatre as a “living lab for the future of dance.” One of the world's most technologically advanced theaters dedicated to dance, the building is envisioned with Indigenous design principles and values, and features a garden with local and native plantings as well as a fire pit for gatherings. This opening restored the Pillow's ability to present on three stages for the first time since November 2020, when a fire destroyed the Doris Duke Theatre (originally named the Studio/Theatre) that had welcomed audiences for 30 years.
3. Henry J. Leir Stage/The Marcia & Seymour Simon Performance Space
Originally constructed in 1981 to provide an additional rehearsal area for The School, this outdoor performance space has hosted the beloved Inside/Out Performance Series and showings by The School at Jacob’s Pillow for over 40 years. A treasured Pillow location set against a backdrop of the Berkshire Hills, the space was reconfigured in 2021 to expand capacity and safely present outdoor performances.
4. Blake's Barn, The Norton Owen Reading Room, Sommerspace & Box Office
This 18th-century barn, moved here in 1992 from Stockbridge, was a gift from famed dancer Marge Champion in memory of her son, Blake. It houses art and photography exhibits and the Pillow’s extensive Archives. Sommerspace, the deck behind Blake’s Barn, was built in 2000 for PillowTalks and Pre-Show Talks for the Ted Shawn Theatre. Celebrities and dance legends including Jules Feiffer, Peter Yarrow, Twyla Tharp, Judith Jamison, Bill T. Jones, and Misty Copeland have participated in programs here.
5. The Warren Davis Welcome Center
The Welcome Center invites you to learn more about the breadth of Jacob’s Pillow including our history, current activities and performances, and the community programs on-site and throughout Berkshire County that provide myriad opportunities for people of all ages to experience dance.
6. The Great Lawn
Until 1986, this was not a lawn at all—it was the parking lot. When 50 additional acres were purchased, this area was adapted for dining, picnicking, and outdoor recreation. Special events are held here throughout the Festival.
7. The Pillow Rock
In Genesis 28, Jacob lays down his head on a stone and dreams of angels ascending a ladder into heaven. Biblically-minded 18th- century settlers riding up the switchback stagecoach road (now Route 20) dubbed the trail Jacob’s Ladder. When the Carter family settled this property in the 1790s, finding this pillow-shaped boulder, they extended the allusion by naming their homestead Jacob’s Pillow. In 1972, Ted Shawn’s ashes were placed here, and in 2001, a memorial to soloist Barton Mumaw was added. It is a tradition for visiting artists to have their photos taken atop the Pillow Rock.
8. Hunter House
Long before Jacob’s Pillow became a renowned international dance center, the Carter family built this white farmhouse in 1790. In 1931, Ted Shawn bought the property to establish a retreat and, beginning in 1933, a home for his company of Men Dancers. Shawn is considered one of the great pioneers of dance and his revolutionary all-male dance company broke cultural boundaries. This building once served as a residence for Ted Shawn and his staff, and now houses offices year-round.
9. Stone Dining Room
The Men Dancers built this rustic structure in 1937 as a surprise gift for Ted Shawn while he was on an out-of-town teaching trip. When his returning car reached the top of the drive, generator-rigged flood lights illuminated the finished building. This is now a private area where artists, dancers, interns, and staff dine together.
10. Avnet House
The portion of this building nearest the Stone Dining Room was one of the individual cabins built by the Men Dancers as their living quarters in the 1930s. This was an unusual twin cabin, designed and built by twin brothers Frank and John Delmar. The front and back sections of the building were originally mirror images of each other. Avnet House has since been restructured into administrative offices.
11. The Pillow Store
This structure was one of the property’s original 18th-century barns. Before the Civil War, it served as an Underground Railroad station for those escaping to freedom in Canada. Take a moment to browse the Pillow memorabilia and unique gifts on sale. Purchases support the programs of the Festival and The School.
12. Harriet Freed Tea Garden
The first Pillow performances were known as “Tea Lectures” because the Men Dancers served tea on this deck to Pillow audiences before performances in the adjacent studio, accompanied by commentary from Ted Shawn. In the 1940s, fitness expert Joseph Pilates taught his signature technique here. Today, visitors enjoy the beautiful gardens, designed by Berkshire-based horticulturist Valerie Locher.
13. Bakalar Studio
One of Ted Shawn’s first tasks in 1931 was to convert this 1790 barn structure into a dance studio. All Pillow performances were held here for the first nine Festivals. If the studio is not in use, take a look at the historic photos and programs lining the walls, commemorating dance pioneers who performed here. If dancers are rehearsing with the doors open, you are welcome to observe from the garden or deck.
14. Ben & Estelle Sommers Studio
This studio was moved to this site in 1955, later expanded, and named for the dancewear manufacturer known as “Mr. Capezio” and his wife. For many years it was the main studio for The School at Jacob’s Pillow, and it still hosts classes, rehearsals, and occasional performances.
15. Perles Family Studio
Dedicated in 2017, this building is home to The School at Jacob’s Pillow, a prestigious professional advancement center. Here, esteemed choreographers, directors, and artists work with dancers from around the world. Year-round, the building is used for Pillow Lab residencies, dance parties, and community events.
16. Ruth St. Denis Studio
In 1962, Ted Shawn dedicated this dance studio to his wife Ruth St. Denis, one of America’s first famous dancers and the co-founder of their modern dance company Denishawn, which operated from 1915-1931. Rehearsals and classes are held here. Step in the studio entrance to view photographs of “Miss Ruth” in memorable roles.