The Institute is located on over 100 pristine acres four miles from the center of Great Barrington, which is located in the scenic Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. Adjoining the Harwood Library is the main house, a stone mansion representative of the storied "summer cottages" of Berkshire County. Referred to as "the castle" by students and staff, the main house provides quarters, in single and double rooms, for Summer Fellows, resident staff, and visiting scholars. (Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate friends or family members.)

Fellows can avail themselves of a number of amusements. Volleyball and basketball facilities are available on the premises; swimming, tennis, and golf are nearby. Numerous hiking trails and jogging paths lace through the surrounding countryside, and the Berkshires are favored with cultural attractions throughout the summer. There are several historic homes and gardens open to the public. Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is less than a half-hour away. Music, drama, and dance are offered by accomplished local companies such as the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket. New York City and Boston are within 3 hours' drive time. Great Barrington, a town of 10,000, has all the essential services, several excellent restaurants, a cinema, and many shops.