'''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