LENOX, MA -- "It would be an absolute tragedy. It would break my heart," said The Mount head tour guide Laurie Foote.

She's been a tour guide for almost six years at the home of famed American novelist Edith Wharton. But one month from now, the doors of this National Historic Landmark in Lenox, known as The Mount, may be closed forever.

"If it's foreclosed, then the bank will put it up for auction and it most likely will pass into private hands. And that means the public can no longer visit," said The Mount President & CEO Stephanie Copeland.

This major tourist destination needs to raise $3 million by March 24 or their bank will foreclose on it. That's because they owe $4.3 million and failed to make last month's $30,000 mortgage payment. They say rising costs are the culprit.

"These bills include things like maintaining the garden, maintaining the house and the insurance bills, all of which have grown since the restoration," said Copeland.

During the busy tourist season, up to 30,000 people tour the home. That's why they say that if the operation closes, the economic loss could be huge.

"It would be a heavy blow to the community, just psychologically, to lose a national treasure like that. I don't really even want to project losing it to tell you the truth," said Lenox Town Manager Gregory Federspiel.

"I love coming here every day. It would just break my heart. It would be very hard to deal with," said Foote.

Over the past thirteen years, The Mount has raised over $13 million and recently underwent a $15 million restoration -- improvements they hope the public can continue to see.

"You can see the magnificence of Wharton's house and garden. I think it's imperative that we all now make sure that it's saved so that the public can continue to enjoy it," said Copeland.

The clock is still ticking, but time is running out.