Cogswell's Grant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cogswell's Grant
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| Location | 60 Spring St |
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| Nearest city | Essex, Massachusetts |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000666 |
| Added to NRHP | April 19, 1990 |
Cogswell's Grant is a special farm and old house in Essex, Massachusetts. It is now a historic house museum where you can learn about the past. This farm was the summer home of Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little. They were famous for collecting American art and crafts in the middle of the 1900s. Mrs. Little was especially good at finding and writing about "country arts." These included things like decorative painting, floor coverings, and old pottery.
A Home for Collectors
In 1937, the Littles bought this farm. It had an 18th-century farmhouse with great views of the Essex River. They wanted it as a quiet family place and somewhere to host friends. They named it Cogswell's Grant after John Cogswell. He was the first English owner of this land, which is about 165 acres (67 hectares).
The Littles carefully fixed up the farmhouse. They tried to keep its original 18th-century look. They also wrote down everything they did to the house. Then, they filled the house with their huge collection of old items.
A Unique Collection
For over 50 years, the Littles collected unique and interesting pieces. They especially liked items that still had their original paint or finish. They also loved things with a history from New England.
They decorated the house to look beautiful and fun, not just to be perfectly historical. The house feels very old and cozy. It is filled with many collections. You can see old paintings, red pottery, painted furniture, and Shaker boxes. There are also weather vanes and decoys. These kinds of items are now known as the "country look."
Bertram Little was the president of an organization called the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities for many years. This group is now called Historic New England. In 1984, the Littles gave their farm, everything inside it, and all their records to this organization.
Visiting Cogswell's Grant
Part of the old 19th-century barn near the house has been made into a visitor's center. A back part of the house is now a home for the caretaker and has restrooms for visitors.
You can visit Cogswell's Grant for public tours. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, from June 1 to October 15.
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