Augustus Saint-Gaudens was the premier American sculptor of the 19th century, crafting such masterpieces as the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial and Abraham Lincoln: The Man. For many years, his summer residence was in Cornish, New Hampshire. In his final years, he would move here year-round. His estate has been preserved for posterity as the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park in Cornish, New Hampshire. The historical park includes Aspet, which is his residence, studios, galleries, gardens, and walking trails.
How to Get To Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park
From Interstate 89, take the last exit in New Hampshire before crossing into Vermont. Head south on Route 12A for a dozen or so miles. Signs point the direction of the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. The park’s location is on Saint Gaudens Road. Park in the lot across from the home, pay the admission at the booth and begin your wandering.
Grief
I have been coming to this park since I was twelve. His statue of Grief made an impression on my younger self. The Adams Memorial’s actual name is The Mystery of the Hereafter and The Peace of God That Passeth Understanding. This was the name given by Saint-Gaudens. But Henry Adams preferred the statue to be left without a name, why it is known simply as the “Adams Memorial”. Adams commissioned the sculpture to honor his late wife. Mark Twain created the statue’s most common moniker, Grief, much to the chagrin of Saint-Gaudens. The statues at the historical park are copies of his originals. The actual Grief adorns the Adams Memorial in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington DC. As a kid, this shrouded figure intrigued and frightened me. (I would see another Grief in a Washington museum a year later.)
Every few years, I’d venture back to Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park typically en route to Vermont, as I did this summer. During my initial visit in 1995, we toured the house. Saint-Gaudens named his estate Aspet in tribute to the village where his father was born. Currently, due to Covid restrictions, the home is unavailable for tours. Don’t fret though, the grounds and galleries are ultimately the most impressive features of the property.
Throughout the property, look for his statues inside gardens and hedgerows. Abraham Lincoln: The Man is prominently featured outside the maze of landscaping, but others such as Grief and the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, which is a relief in tribute to Shaw and the Massachusetts 54th Regiment in the Civil War, are hidden in the hedgerows.
Galleries
Also visitable are galleries which contain creations by Saint-Gaudens. One of my favorite locations is the gallery atrium. This houses a fountain with sculpted turtles and gold angel statuary beside it. Take a look into the galleries and studios on the property.
The gardens are also impressive (with further explanation in this Backyard Garden Trip article). They are spread throughout the grounds, flanking sides of Aspet and providing colorful accents to the estate.
In addition, there is the Ravine Studio which each summer features an artist in residence. This summer Zoe Dufour is in residence whom we were able to see working and had the pleasure of chatting with for a few moments. The Blow-Me-Down-Trail and Ravine Trail are worth hiking. Close by, extend your visit to the circa 1820 Blow-Me-Down Mill located close to Saint Gaudens Road, just north on Route 12A.
The Cornish Art Colony
Saint-Gaudens’ property became the focal point of the Cornish Art Colony, turning this small New Hampshire town into an artists’ haven. Escaping the New York summers, Saint-Gaudens summered here from 1885 to 1897 and in 1900, settled here for the rest of his life, dying in 1907.
Surprisingly, given the natural wonder of the White Mountains, the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park is the only national park in the state of New Hampshire. (The White Mountains are a national forest, with Franconia being a state park.) It received “park” status in 2019; previously it was considered a “national historical site.” Although more aimed at adults, kids will enjoy roaming the grounds and uncovering the seemingly “hidden” statues, and hiking the trails.
For more info, check out this link about the Saint Gaudens National Historical Park.
