The best camping in Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, NH

Statues of this renowned American sculptor haunt his former home. Lincoln rises to greet you in the yard. Inside, the stern Puritan holds court. Named Aspet, the New Hampshire residence was also a Cornish Arts Colony, whose ranks included Maxfield Parrish and Isadora Duncan.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens arrived at the Federal house in 1885. The artist was at a pivotal career moment. The City of Chicago had commissioned him to create a sculpture of Lincoln. A friend offered his summer home for rent, promising that the Granite State had many “Lincoln-shaped” men to use as models. Saint-Gaudens bought the property six years later. Many of his artist friends were already in residence. The painter George de Forest Brush lived in a tepee in the yard. Others built studios nearby, including Henry O. Walker and Maxfield Parrish.

Aspet became a memorial after the death of Mrs. Saint-Gaudens. Today, the National Parks Service manages the home, studios, and gardens. The property houses 100 of his works, both originals, and reproductions. Even visitors not acquainted with Saint-Gaudens are likely to recognize a few. His Adams Memorial is here, also on display in Washington, D.C. A cast of Diana notches her arrow in the garden. Her identical sister is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Smaller works are here, too. Saint-Gaudens dabbled in medallions as a fun distraction. Several of his coins were minted. Collectors esteem his Eagle and Double Eagle as the most beautiful of all American coins.

The national historic site is open from mid-May through November. Call ahead during the off-season, as some areas close. Surprisingly, the residence is among the least visited parks in the country. That only leaves more breathing room to appreciate the work.