# Cornish (New Hampshire)

Cornish is a town of 1,600 people (2017) on 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.

## 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, . 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). 11AM, 2PM. A guided tour of the galleries and grounds of the park. A great way to learn about Saint-Gaudens' art and his life in Cornish.
** Saint-Gaudens' Studio: (20 minutes). 10:30AM, 3:30PM. Learn about the design of the sculptor's studio, how it functioned, and how he created some of his important works like the statues of President Lincoln
** Nature Walk: Sundays during July & August: noon; Thursdays all season: 1PM. 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's 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. 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, ☏ +1 603 675-5391, fax: +1 603 675-5010. A National Historic Landmark and birthplace of Salmon P. Chase. This inn is now a private residence, not an operating B&B.
* 43.473611-72.3838891 Cornish-Windsor Covered Bridge. The longest wooden covered bridge in the US, built in 1866. (updated Jan 2022)

## Do

* Antiquing. There are many antique stores in the area.
* Skiing at nearby Mount Ascutney in Brownsville, Vermont.

## Buy

* 12% Solution, Route 12A and Town House Rd, ☏ +1 603 675-9975. Convenience store, beer, wine & spirits.
* Cornish Automotive, 813 Nh Route 12a, ☏ +1 603-675-5403. Car repair & used car sales.
* Cornish Flat Post Office, 241 NH Route 120, ☏ +1 603 543-3502, toll-free: +1-800-275-8777. M-F 8:30AM-1PM, 2:30PM-4:30PM; Sa 8:30AM-noon; Su closed. Post Office

## Sleep

* See Claremont for more nearby lodging.