James Merrill House

The James Merrill House is a Victorian residence in a coastal town featuring two stories with distinctive architectural elements including a turret room. The property now operates as a residential program for writers.

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet James Merrill acquired the house in 1956 and lived there for over four decades until his death in 1995. The location became a center for his creative work and later transformed into a writers' residency.

The house was a gathering place for writers and artists drawn to Merrill's creative circle. The residency program reflects his tradition of bringing creators together to share their work.

Visitors can learn about the current writer-in-residence and attend public readings held at the property. It is helpful to check the program schedule in advance to see when events are happening and if the house is open for visits.

In the turret room, Merrill and his partner conducted Ouija sessions that directly inspired some of his most famous poems. This unconventional creative practice became a defining aspect of his literary work.

Location: Stonington

Architectural style: Victorian architecture

Website: http://jamesmerrillhouse.org

GPS coordinates: 41.33373,-71.90666

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21