Cogswell's Grant, Historic house museum and folk art collection in Essex, Massachusetts.
This restored 1728 farmhouse spans 165 acres overlooking the Essex River, featuring original colonial architecture with sturdy wood construction and symmetrical design elements that reflect traditional New England building techniques.
Built in the early 18th century, the property was acquired in 1937 by collectors Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little, who dedicated themselves to preserving its colonial features and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
The house showcases an extensive collection of American folk art including primitive paintings, painted furniture, weathervanes, decoys, hooked rugs, and redware pottery arranged to reflect authentic early American domestic life and regional craftsmanship traditions.
Open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday from June to October, the museum offers guided tours, educational programs, free parking, and visitor facilities including restrooms located in the rear section of the historic house.
The interior displays remain exactly as collectors Nina and Bertram Little arranged them, creating a lively, cluttered aesthetic that prioritizes visual appeal and character over strict historical accuracy in room arrangements.
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