Louis St. Gaudens House and Studio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Louis St. Gaudens House and Studio
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dingleton Hill and Whitten Rds., Cornish, New Hampshire |
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| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Johnson, Moses |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000111 |
| Added to NRHP | November 15, 1972 |
The Louis St. Gaudens House and Studio is a special historic house located in Cornish, New Hampshire. What makes it unique is that it was built a long time ago, then taken apart and moved to a new spot! It was once a meeting place for a group called the Shakers, and later became the home and art studio of a famous sculptor named Louis St. Gaudens.
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A House with a Journey: The Louis St. Gaudens House
From Shaker Meetinghouse to New Home
This historic house was first built way back in 1793-1794. It was designed by an architect named Moses Johnson. The building was originally located at the Shaker village in Enfield, New Hampshire.
The Shakers were a religious group known for their simple lifestyle and amazing craftsmanship. This building served as their main meeting space. The ground floor was used for gatherings, while offices were on the second floor. Guests could stay in living quarters located in the attic. This building was similar to others Moses Johnson designed for Shaker villages in Canterbury, New Hampshire and Sabbathday Lake, Maine.
Moving Day: A House on the Go
In 1893, the Shakers stopped using the building. Then, in 1902, a sculptor named Louis St. Gaudens bought it. Instead of building a new house, he decided to move this entire building!
The house was carefully taken apart, piece by piece. Then, it was moved to its current location in Cornish. During this process, some changes were made. Part of the building was shortened by about 8 feet (2.4 meters) because some of the wood was rotting. A porch was also added to one side.
One of the original main entrance doors was moved to the side of the house. Also, new windows called dormers were added to the roof. These dormers helped to make the attic space larger and brighter. The lower floors were divided into a living area and a two-story art studio. In 1904, a smaller section was added to the house.
An Artist's Home and Legacy
Louis St. Gaudens was the brother of Augustus St. Gaudens, who was a very important artist. Augustus was a leading figure in the Cornish Art Colony, a group of artists who lived and worked in Cornish in the early 1900s. Augustus's own property in Cornish is now a National Historic Site and a National Historic Landmark.
Louis St. Gaudens and his wife lived in this house until they passed away in the 1950s. After them, their son, Paul, who was a potter, lived there.
The Louis St. Gaudens House was recognized for its historical importance in 1972. It was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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Original Enfield Shaker Meetinghouse; Enfield, New Hampshire
