'''Cornish''' is a town along the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. It includes the villages of Cornish Flat and Cornish Mills. Cornish is a scenic town with three covered bridges that is known as a summer retreat for artists and writers.
Get in
By plane
'''Lebanon Municipal Airport''', in Lebanon.
By car
Cornish is near Interstates 89 and 91. From Interstate 89 take Exit 20 (West Lebanon) and travel south on Route 12A. From Interstate 91 take Exit 8 (Ascutney, Vermont), cross the Connecticut River and travel north on Route 12A.
Get around
See
Saint Gaudens National Historic Site
'''Saint Gaudens National Historic Site''', 139 Saint-Gaudens Road, Phone: ''+1 603'' 675-2175, Fax: ''+1 603'' 675-2701, [http://www.nps.gov/saga/]. Late May-October, 9AM-4:30PM. Over age 16 $5 for seven days. National Park Pass admits holder and family.
Features the home, studios and gardens of the great American sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907). The only National Park site in New Hampshire, it is one of only two in the National Park System dedicated to a visual artist. Six historic buildings are open to the public and over 100 of Saint-Gaudens' artworks are on exhibit in lovely formal gardens. Explore over two miles of nature trails or take sculpture classes given by a sculptor-in-residence. Summer concerts are also presented. A "junior ranger" program is available.
'''Exhibits''': Six buildings are open to the public -- three galleries with Saint-Gaudens' artwork, a studio for the sculptor-in-residence interpretive program, a stable building with antique carriages, and "Aspet," the 18th century furnished house of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (Aspet is closed in 2006).
'''Tours''' are offered daily at the park, except for Sunday afternoons in July and August:
*'''Art tour''': (55 minutes). 11:00AM, 2PM. A guided tour of the galleries and grounds of the park. A great way to learn about Saint-Gaudens_f art and his life in Cornish.
*'''Saint-Gaudens' Studio''': (20 minutes). 10:30AM, 3:30PM. Learn about the design of the sculptor_fs studio, how it functioned, and how he created some of his important works like the statues of President Lincoln
*'''Nature Walk''': 12:00PM. Sundays during July & August; 1:00 p.m. Thursdays, all season Explore the Ravine Trail with a park naturalist to learn about the plants and animals of the area and the invasive plants that threaten the park.
*'''Curator's Choice Tour''': Tu 1PM. Join the site curator for a special look at a selected art work.
*'''Sculptor's tour''': W,F 1PM. Join the sculptor-in-residence for a look at the art from a sculptor_fs viewpoint.
'''Films''': An excellent orientation to the site is the film ''Augustus Saint-Gaudens: An American Original'' (28 minutes), shown in the visitor center. Other films are also shown during the day, or upon request include: ''Wax Blood, Bronze Skin'', explaining how bronze sculptures are cast; and ''The Medal Maker'', explains the process of medallic art.
'''Hiking Trails''': Ravine Trail, about 1/4 mile, and Blow-Me-Down Trail, approximately 2.5 miles.
'''Trustees of the Saint-Gaudens Memorial''', [http://www.sgnhs.org/]. A non-profit partner of the Park Service for this project. Their web site gives additional depth, background and research resources for visitors.
Other things to see
'''Chase House Inn''', 1001 Route 12A, Phone: ''+1 603'' 675-5391 Fax: ''+1 603'' 675-5010. A National Historic Landmark and birthplace of Salmon P. Chase. Now a bed and breakfast.
'''Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge'''. The longest wooden covered bridge in the US, built in 1866.
Do
'''Antiquing'''. There are many antique stores in the area.
'''Skiing''' at nearby Mount Ascutney in Brownsville, Vermont.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
See Claremont for more nearby lodging.
'''Chase House Inn''', 1001 Route 12A, Phone: ''+1 603'' 675-5391 Fax: ''+1 603'' 675-5010, [http://www.chasehouse.com/]. On the banks of the Connecticut River with views of Vermont's Mount Ascutney, this Inn uniquely combines a 1766 Settlement Colony-style house with a fine, circa 1795 Federal-style house. Nine rooms. $150-$225.
'''Home Hill French Inn & Restaurant''', River Road, Plainfield, Phone: ''+1 603'' 675-6165. Eleven rooms. $295-$500.
Get out