Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site: Visit the Former Art Colony in Cornish, New Hampshire

Nestled along the Connecticut River in southwestern New Hampshire, the Cornish Art Colony thrived for three decades staring in the late 1800’s. Artists flocked to this tranquil area, mostly during the summer months, to immerse themselves in the naturalistic landscapes to sculpt, paint, write, and create. Today, one of only two national parks that showcase an American artist, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site preserves an extensive collection of artifacts and historic buildings, while allowing the public to step inside the home and studio of sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens. A visit to this unique historic site will undoubtedly impress upon you the time, effort, and attention to detail that went into Saint-Gaudens artwork that is on display at world-class art museums and public spaces across the United States.

Travel Tip: The visitor center, galleries, home, and studio are open from Memorial Day weekend through October 31. During the other months of the year, visitors can enjoy the small network of trails that crisscross the 100 acres of woodlands on the property. We highly recommend visiting during the “open” season and timing your visit with a guided tour of the home, studio, and galleries.

Things to Do

• Watch the orientation film in the visitor center’s theater before exploring the galleries, grounds, studio, and Aspet, the artist’s former home.
• See over 100 works of art displayed and exhibited throughout the galleries and grounds. The entire collection consists of over 10,000 works of art in plaster and bronze as well as caricatures, coins, medals, and cameos. Don’t miss four amazing full-scale bronze monuments while touring the grounds: Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, Admiral David Farragut Monument, Adams Memorial, and the Amor Caritas.
• The Little Studio (1904-1907) was used by Saint-Gaudens to sketch, design, and model many of his projects. The studio and the artists associated with the Cornish Colony have become synonymous with the artistic and cultural movement known as the American Renaissance.
• During the summer months, attend a Sunday concert at the park. The program began in 1946 and is sponsored by the Trustees of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial. Arrive a few hours early and explore the galleries and grounds or have a picnic before the concert begins. Augustus enjoyed entertaining family and friends when they visited his home and studio, and the tradition continues to this day (virtually in 2021).
• Spend a few hours walking through over 100 acres of forested nature trails with interpretive wayside panels. Grab a trail map at the visitor center and walk in the footsteps of Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Find a few of the colorfully named places that he enjoyed, including Blow-Me-Up Brook and Blow-Me-Down Pond. The various habitats in the park are also home to many species of mammals, amphibians, birds, and fish.