Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
Name	Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
Photo caption	Aspet, the summer home and studio of Augustus Saint-Gaudens
Location	Cornish, New Hampshire, United States
Nearest city	Windsor, Vermont
Coordinates	43, 30, 01, N...
Area acre	148
Established	0 1964
Visitation num	35,000
Visitation year	2022
Governing body	National Park Service
Website	https://www.nps.gov/saga

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park is a unit of the National Park Service located in Cornish, New Hampshire, that preserves the home, studios, and gardens of the renowned American sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Established by an act of Congress in 1964, the park encompasses the artist's summer estate, known as "Aspet," where he lived, worked, and entertained prominent figures of the American Renaissance from 1885 until his death in 1907. The site serves as both a memorial to the sculptor and a center for the appreciation of American sculpture, featuring a significant collection of his original works and replicas set within beautifully landscaped grounds.

History

The property's history is deeply intertwined with the Cornish Art Colony, a summer retreat for artists, writers, and musicians that flourished from the 1880s through the early 20th century. The core of the estate was originally a circa-1800 Federal-style inn, which Saint-Gaudens purchased and extensively remodeled with the assistance of architects like Stanford White and landscape designers such as Ellen Biddle Shipman. Following the sculptor's death, the property was maintained by his widow, Augusta, and later by his son, Homer Saint-Gaudens, who helped facilitate its transfer to the Department of the Interior. Key legislative actions, including the pivotal efforts of New Hampshire Senator Norris Cotton, led to its designation as a national historic site, ensuring its preservation for public enjoyment and education.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907) was a preeminent sculptor of the Gilded Age, celebrated for his monumental public works and exquisite bas-relief portraits. Born in Dublin to a French father and Irish mother, he was raised in New York City and apprenticed as a cameo cutter before studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and working in Rome. His major commissions include the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial on Boston Common, the standing figure of Abraham Lincoln in Chicago's Lincoln Park, and the iconic Diana that once crowned Stanford White's original Madison Square Garden. His designs for the U.S. Mint, particularly the double eagle twenty-dollar gold piece and the ten-dollar coin, are considered masterpieces of American numismatics.

Grounds and features

The 148-acre park features a carefully curated landscape that blends formal gardens with natural woodlands, offering views of Mount Ascutney across the Connecticut River in Vermont. Central features include the main house, the Little Studio, the Gallery, and the Ravine Studio, each building serving a distinct purpose in Saint-Gaudens' artistic practice. The grounds are adorned with numerous bronze casts of his most famous works, such as the Shaw Memorial, The Puritan, and the serene Adams Memorial (also known as *Grief*), all situated along winding paths. The Athena pool and the Temple are notable architectural follies that enhance the pastoral setting, reflecting the American Renaissance ideal of integrating art with nature.

Art collection

The park's collection is the largest assembly of works by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, encompassing original plasters, bronze casts, and rare marbles. Highlights include the full-scale plaster model of the Shaw Memorial, the haunting Adams Memorial, and a majestic gilded copper version of the Diana. The collection also features portrait reliefs of notable contemporaries like Robert Louis Stevenson, William Dean Howells, and Samuel Gray Ward, demonstrating his mastery of the medium. The Ravine Studio displays working models and tools, providing insight into his creative process, while temporary exhibitions in the Gallery often explore themes related to the Cornish Art Colony, American Impressionism, and Gilded Age artistry.

Activities and events

The park offers a dynamic schedule of public programs, including guided tours of the historic buildings and sculpture gardens led by National Park Service rangers and volunteers. A major annual event is the Saint-Gaudens Arts and Crafts Festival, which features demonstrations, live music, and artisan vendors. The park also hosts a summer concert series on its grounds, contemporary sculpture exhibitions, and the popular "Sculptural Encounters" workshops. Educational initiatives, such as the Junior Ranger program and curriculum-based field trips for students, align with the park's mission to foster appreciation for the visual arts and cultural history.

Administration and access

Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park is administered by the National Park Service, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior. The park is typically open to visitors daily from late May through October, with limited access to buildings during the winter months. It is located off New Hampshire Route 12A near the Cornish–Windsor Covered Bridge, with the nearest major airport being Lebanon Municipal Airport. The site is a contributing property to the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site historic district and is affiliated with the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Memorial, a nonprofit organization that supports its educational mission.

Category:National Historical Parks of the United States Category:Museums in New Hampshire Category:National Park Service areas in New Hampshire Category:Art museums in New Hampshire