Historic Home Of Author Edith Wharton Is Finally Debt-Free

Author Edith Wharton's historic home is finally debt-free, seven years after defaulting on a loan and nearly shutting its doors.

The Mount, which includes a house and gardens, is a National Historic Landmark — one of just 5 percent of those sites dedicated to women.

Wharton's best-known works are the novels "The Age of Innocence," "The House of Mirth" and "Ethan Frome." She wrote more than 40 books in total, including one on home design, which along with gardening was one of her passions.

The 1901 Berkshires estate faced foreclosure in 2008 when it owed $8.5 million to its lenders. Its operators announced Monday it is out of debt.

An emergency "Save the Mount" campaign included an $800,000 gift from the JM Kaplan Fund.