Augustus Saint-Gaudens served as a primary influence for the design of the U.S. twenty-dollar gold coin, known as the Saint-Gaudens double eagle.
The park is the only National Park Service site dedicated to an American sculptor.
The sculptor’s ashes are interred on the property in a niche he designed himself.
Aspet, the main house, is named after the ancestral village of Saint-Gaudens' father in the French Pyrenees.
The property contains a permanent collection of over 100 bronzes and plaster casts, including the Shaw Memorial.
Saint-Gaudens actively engaged in 'The Cornish Art Colony,' one of the most prominent artist retreats in the United States at the time.
The park maintains a working studio space where resident sculptors continue to practice casting techniques.
The Little Studio features a unique sliding wall mechanism originally designed to move large-scale works outdoors for inspection in natural light.
Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park preserves the home, studios, and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America's foremost 19th-century sculptors. The 150-acre site, known as Aspet, features over 100 of his works, including original plasters and bronze casts. Visitors can tour the artist’s residence, the Little Studio, and the expansive grounds designed by the sculptor himself. The site includes a dedicated gallery showcasing his small-scale portrait reliefs and larger monument models. The grounds are integrated into the Cornish Art Colony landscape, reflecting the aesthetic movement of the turn of the 20th century. Trails wind through the property, offering views of Mount Ascutney and the surrounding Connecticut River Valley. The park serves as a repository for the techniques and tools used in the transition from traditional to modern American sculpture.
The view from the porch of the Little Studio, looking out over the perennial gardens toward Mount Ascutney.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the groomed gravel paths and hilly terrain.
Carry insect repellent during summer months as the wooded sections and gardens are prone to mosquitoes.
Check the daily demonstration schedule for live bronze casting or clay modeling sessions.
Attempting to see only the house and missing the Ravine Studio or the outdoor hiking trails which provide the best context for the sculptor's environment.
The park operates on a seasonal basis, typically closing its buildings to the public during late autumn and winter months, though grounds may remain accessible.
Maintain quiet in the gallery spaces and do not touch the bronze surfaces, as skin oils can damage the patina.
