General questions about the park

Is camping allowed?
The park does not have a campground. Camping and overnight parking at the site are not permitted. Commercial campgrounds are located nearby in Ascutney, Vermont.

Is there parking for large RVs?
Large RVs must park in the auxiliary parking lot located 1/10 mile before the entrance to the main parking lot. RVs towing vehicles should always turn into this lot as there is no easy turn-around further up the road.

Do you sell National Park Passes and Federal Golden passes at the park?
You may obtain the National Park Pass, the Golden Age Pass and the Golden Access Pass at the entrance kiosk. A $25 annual park pass for Saint-Gaudens NHS is also available.

Is food available at the park?
There are no food services or vending machines at the park. The closest full-service restaurants are located in Windsor, Vermont (2 miles).

Can you bring a picnic?
There are picnic tables near the parking area and one near the visitor center. If you have a box lunch you may also sit at one of the benches located throughout the park.

Are dogs allowed in the park?
Dogs are allowed on the grounds but must be on a leash and owners are responsible for removing dog waste. Except for guide animals, dogs are not permitted in any of the buildings.

Is there a gift shop at the park?
A museum shop operated by Eastern National, is located in the Visitor Center and stocks books and other items related to Saint-Gaudens, art, local history, the "Cornish Colony", and nature.

Questions about Augustus Saint-Gaudens' life and family

How do you pronounce his last name?
In his autobiography, he states that his name is pronounced: “ ‘Gau’ as in ‘gaudy’, ‘ens’ as in ‘enslave’”. Also, there was to be no hyphen in the name. However, Augustus himself signed his name several different ways, sometimes using a hyphen and sometimes abbreviating the word saint. While Augustus mainly used “Saint Gaudens”, his son Homer preferred to use the hyphen, and spell out the word "Saint". Augustus' brother, Louis, and nephew, Paul, always used “St. Gaudens.”

Where was Saint-Gaudens born?
Augustus was born on March 1, 1848, at 35 Charlemont St. in Dublin, Ireland. He came to the United States at the age of six months on the ship Desdemona.

Why is the house called "Aspet"?
The house was named after Saint Gaudens' father's birthplace, the village of Aspet in the Pyrenees of southern France. Aspet is located next to the town of Saint-Gaudens, from which the family name derived.

Who was Louis St. Gaudens?
There are three Louis’ in the Saint-Gaudens family. The first with that name was the first son of Bernard and Mary McGuiness Saint Gaudens, Augustus’ father and mother, who died in early childhood before Augustus was born in 1848. The second Louis, was Augustus’ younger brother, born in 1854, who also became a sculptor. The third Louis, nicknamed “Novy”, was Augustus’ son with his mistress, Davida Clark.

How many children did Augustus Saint-Gaudens have?
Two. He had one son, Homer, born in 1880, with his wife, Augusta. He also had a son, Louis (nicknamed “Novy”) born in 1889, to his mistress, Davida Clark.

What happened to Homer Saint-Gaudens?Homer became a writer, art critic, theatrical engineer and Director of Carnegie Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He had three children, Augustus II, Harold and Carlota. Homer died in 1958.

What happened to Louis, Augustus' son?
Louis moved to California, where he became a farmer, married and had three sons.

What was Saint-Gaudens' wife’s name?
Augusta Homer, although close friends and family called her “Gussie.” She was from Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Was Gussie related to Winslow Homer?
Yes, Augusta Homer Saint Gaudens' mother was a first cousin to painter Winslow Homer.

What happened to Davida Clark?
During the last year of Augustus’ life, there was no communication between himself and Davida, because of Saint Gaudens illness. After Saint Gaudens died in 1907, Davida moved from Darien, Connecticut, to Kearney County, New Jersey. She lived there for three years before succumbing to cancer herself in 1910 at the age of 41.

Where is Saint-Gaudens buried?   
Augustus died on August 3, 1907 and was cremated. His ashes are interred here on the grounds at the "Temple". Also at the Temple are the ashes of his wife, Augusta, brother Louis, son, Homer, daughter-in-law, Carlota, and nephew, Harold.